It's not easy to choose the best
treatment. Even the doctors
don't always agree.

There are 3 standard treatments for early prostate cancer: Watchful waiting, surgery, and radiation.

Watchful waiting is just what the name says. Your doctor keeps a close watch on you at regular checkups. But, nothing is done to get rid of the cancer unless it starts to grow or cause problems. You can choose to begin active treatment at any time.

Surgery and radiation are active treatments. They may cure you, but they may also cause side effects, such as:

• Trouble controlling your bladder
• Trouble controlling your bowels
• Trouble having an erection.

The number of men alive at the end of 10 years, after watchful waiting, surgery or radiation, is about the same.