An extended observation period may increase quality of life and save money for those suffering from prostate cancer says a new study from researchers at the Harvard Medical School. According to lead researcher Julia Hayes, a period of "watchful waiting" could be preferable to immediately jumping into a treatment plan.
In a statement on the study, Hayes explains that a brief observation period instead of immediate treatment for men with low-risk prostate cancer could add an additional two months of quality-adjusted life and save as much as $15,000.
"Using our results, we estimated that if the number of newly diagnosed men with low-risk prostate cancer who selected observation with watchful waiting increased from 10% to 50%, it would result in a cost savings of more than $1 billion. If one half of the men who chose observation opted for watchful waiting and one half for active surveillance, it would save $500 million," says Hayes.
She adds: "As we better classify men as low risk by adding molecular and imaging techniques currently in development to standard clinical parameters, prospective studies should determine whether less surveillance than is typically done on active surveillance is safe for men who select observation for low-risk prostate cancer. These findings provide further support for watchful waiting and active surveillance as reasonable and underused options for men with low-risk prostate cancer."
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Health News
June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.