Being on active surveillance: the patient perspective

Prostate cancer (PCa) patients selected for active surveillance (AS) have received information on prostate cancer PCa, treatment, knew their serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), a digital rectal examination (DRE) done and could rely on their set of biopsies to be labelled as low grade, low volume disease (by adding a radiographic/ultrasonic measurement). They usually react euphoric to the selection hoping to escape invasive curative treatment and its side-effects. Unfortunately, this positive feeling waivers in front of uncertainty in the follow-up including biopsies. Improvements on prognostics are needed. The patients need reassuring information and confidence building to keep his choice to AS based on evidence and confidence.