It's a myth that mammograms offer all benefit, no harm Nov 20, 2009
While early-stage prostate cancer is now generally treated conservatively with watchful waiting, women are falsely led to believe that all cancers need to be treated, even when toxic chemotherapies that cause disease are involved. In short, disease risk is overstated while treatment risk is understated. (Boston Globe -- Editorial)
25 comments Nov 14, 2009
Last year, it was just days after a presidential election, and among the thousands of vets and their families, there was a sense of "watchful waiting." Because Americans in general -- and veterans in particular -- are innately fair, they were willing to give a new commander in chief and his administration a chance. That "decent interval" is over. (Human Events Online)
Colonel's Corner Nov 14, 2009
Last year it was just days after a presidential election and among the thousands of vets and their families there was a sense of "watchful waiting." Because Americans in general and veterans in particular are innately fair, they were willing to give a new commander in chief and his administration a chance to see what he would be like. That "decent interval" is over. (Fox News)
With cancer, it's always personal Oct 28, 2009
The exhaustive studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine probably will prompt more "watchful waiting," rather than treatment, in insignificant cases like his. With 186,000 American men expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, most will think twice - at least - before proceeding with surgery or radiation that can bring on impotence and urinary incontinence. (Juneau Empire)
Ask doctors, not billboards Oct 19, 2009
Indeed, this typically slow-growing cancer presents patients with an even more basic choice: whether to treat it at all or just rely on watchful waiting. The emergence of the prostate-specific antigen test for early detection has resulted in the discovery of many cancers that, left on their own, would never threaten the health of the patient. (Boston Globe)
Robotic prostate surgery comes with trade-off Oct 14, 2009
It's not clear that either kind of surgery is superior to radiation alone or watchful waiting, which means simply monitoring the prostate for changes. Laparoscopic, or keyhole, surgery is increasingly chosen by men having a cancerous prostate removed. (MSNBC -- Health)
Ten Things To Know About H1N1 Sep 18, 2009
Before last week, doctors were advised to give them medication to prevent infection; now doctors are being given the option of "watchful waiting" - observing the patient closely and only starting antiviral treatment if evidence of flu develops. 9)What warning signs should prompt immediate medical evaluation and treatment. (CBS News -- Health)
House calls: Know Your Stats Sep 18, 2009
Watchful waiting: Also known as expectant therapy, electing to not receive immediate treatment may be an appropriate approach for some patients. This method requires close monitoring. (Kingston Mariner, MA)
Watchful Waiting Works for Older Men with Prostate Cancer Sep 17, 2009
TUESDAY, Sept. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Older men diagnosed with prostate cancer who choose watchful waiting are doing better these days than in the era before screening with a test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) became common, a new study finds ... He is skeptical about watchful waiting, except in carefully selected cases ... "I don't think anyone under 60 is a great candidate for watchful waiting unless they have another condition that is going to do them in within 10 years," Greenberg... (MEDLINEplus)
Older Prostate Patients: The Case for Doing Nothing Sep 16, 2009
In the largest analysis of its kind, new research pinpoints how long older men diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer can expect to live if they opt for a conservative, "watchful waiting" approach to their cancer treatment as opposed to seeking immediate, aggressive therapies such as surgery and radiation ... Epidemiologists at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey examined national cancer registry data involving 14,516 men over 65 who were diagnosed with localized prostate cancer (that which... (Time.com)
'Watchful Waiting' Is A Viable Option For Prostate Cancer Patients With Low-risk Tumors, Study Finds Sep 15, 2009
Watchful Waiting' Is A Viable Option For Prostate Cancer Patients With Low-risk Tumors, Study Finds ... Watchful Waiting' Is A Viable Option For Prostate Cancer Patients With Low-risk Tumors, Study Finds. (Science Daily)
Virus May Drive Some Prostate Cancers Sep 10, 2009
So, a test for presence of XMRV could be at least a partial solution to the major problem facing doctors who treat prostate cancer: distinguishing the minority of virulent, life-threatening cancers from the majority of tumors which grow so slowly that "watchful waiting" may be enough. Prostate cancers now are diagnosed by a test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein produced by the gland. (MEDLINEplus)
Antiviral Drugs Should Be Used Cautiously to Fight Flu, U.S. Says Sep 9, 2009
"Instead of starting antivirals, we give providers an option we call 'watchful waiting,' and wait and see if fever develops," Schuchat said. "And, when fever or respiratory problems develop, give antivirals then.". (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
CDC Issues New Guidelines for Antivirals Sep 9, 2009
"Instead of just definitely starting antiviral medicines we give providers an option to do what we call watchful waiting and wait and see whether fever develops," Schuchat said. The new advice tries to close a door that government doctors had left open with earlier guidance in May. (CBS News)
Feds update H1N1 antivirals guidelines Sep 9, 2009
Instead of preventive use of antivirals, providers may consider watchful waiting ... "Instead of preventive use of antivirals, providers might want to consider watchful waiting." ... Under watchful waiting, a clinician would wait to see whether someone who came into contact with an infected person went on to develop flu symptoms -- like fever or respiratory problems -- before prescribing the drugs, she said. (CNN -- Health)
Research on ‘night-eating syndrome’ and prostate tumors Sep 7, 2009
For some prostate tumors, watchful waiting seems safe. Men diagnosed with early, low-risk prostate cancer face a choice about treatment. (Boston Globe)
Teens May Not Benefit from Pap Tests Jul 30, 2009
And the third report, a cost-benefit analysis, found that immediate colposcopy was not more cost-effective than what the researchers called watchful waiting. A major lesson of the study is that "there is not much to be gained in being aggressive" in dealing with minor abnormalities found in a Pap test of a younger woman, said Eduardo Franco, a professor of epidemiology and oncology at McGill University in Montreal, who co-authored an accompanying editorial. (MEDLINEplus)
Few Patients Die From Prostate Cancer Within 15 Years Of Radical Prostatectomy, Study Finds Jul 29, 2009
13, 2008) Men with early prostate cancer who undergo radical prostatectomy have a lower rate of death due to prostate cancer than men who are followed without treatment, known as watchful waiting, according to ... 26, 2009) In 2005, the Scandinavian Prostate Cancer Group Study 4 reported that radical prostatectomy improved prostate cancer survival compared with watchful waiting after a median of 8. (Science Daily)
Ultrasound Procedure Treats Prostate Cancer Jul 18, 2009
British doctors have developed a third way ultrasound procedure for prostate cancer that takes a middle road between radical treatment and watchful waiting. The procedure, which uses ultrasound to melt tumors, is said to be just as effective as radiotherapy or surgery, but has a lower risk of causing incontinence, impotence, diarrhea, bleeding, and other side effects. (Newsmax)
Health Care Cut-off Threatens Lives Jul 11, 2009
These are just two of many examples where watchful waiting is utilized instead of aggressive medical care. Is cost containment so important that medical groups no longer recommend appropriate treatments, or where an arbitrary care cut-off exists for certain maladies. (Missourian Publishing, MO)
100 areas to yield most bang for health-care buck Jul 1, 2009
How should localized prostate cancer be treated: watchful waiting, surgery or radiotherapy. READERS: On which area of medicine do you think they should focus. (USA Today)
Government aims to pinpoint best treatments Jul 1, 2009
What is best for early-stage prostate cancer, various surgeries, different types of radiation, so-called watchful waiting. What are the pros and cons of new hearing aids, cochlear implants and other devices for age-related hearing loss. (MSNBC -- Health)
Prostate Cancer Test Improves Prediction Of Disease Course Jun 24, 2009
The patients in the study had undergone radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, androgen deprivation therapy (hormone therapy), or watchful waiting. Nearly 3 percent (311) of the men developed bone metastases, 2. (Science Daily)
Painkillers May Be Good for the Prostate Jun 23, 2009
Yet medical experts stress that men shouldn't take them with just this in mind. Sunday, June 21, 2009. (MEDLINEplus)
Missing jobs pose challenge for Dems Jun 23, 2009
Christina Romer, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, said that while the president is "very concerned" about the unemployment forecasts, the White House has assumed "a posture of watchful waiting," adding: "There will be big increases in stimulus spending in the fall and early next year. We have to wait to see what happens with that. If you get to the end of this year or early next year and employment is still limping back, then we have to do some serious thinking about whether there... (MSNBC -- Politics)
Carter Road site not yet a done deal Jun 19, 2009
There is also new thinking about "watchful waiting," but without being screened, a man will not be able to make such decisions. All men over 40 should be checked annually, especially African American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer. (NJ.com -- Times)
NEJM study finds radiofrequency ablation can reverse Barrett's esophagus, reduce cancer risk Jun 3, 2009
"The current standard of care for Barrett's esophagus has been watchful waiting or surveillance -- delaying surgery until the first sign of cancer. This study offers powerful evidence that treatment using radiofrequency ablation can help prevent esophageal cancer by completely reversing overall Barrett's esophagus and its more severe tissue changes, or dysplasias," says study senior author Dr. Charles Lightdale, a gastroenterologist at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical... (EurekAlert!)
Green Tea Extract Shows Promise In Leukemia Trials May 28, 2009
Blood tests have enabled early diagnosis in many instances; however, treatment consists of watchful waiting until the disease progresses. Statistics show that about half of patients with early stage diseases have an aggressive form of CLL that leads to early death. (Science Daily)
Surgery Improves Survival For Prostate Cancer Patients Younger Than 50 May 16, 2009
Results from the study done on the National SEER database show that the surgical procedure improves the 5-, 10-, 15- and 20-year survival for younger patients, when compared with other standard treatments such as radiotherapy or watchful waiting. "When given the choice between surgery, watchful waiting or external beam radiotherapy, patients younger than 50 with moderately and poorly differentiated prostate cancers have better long-term overall and cancer-specific survival when they opt for... (Science Daily)
No Clear Winner Among Fillings For Childhood Cavities May 7, 2009
None of the studies in the review compared the usefulness of fillings to pulling the teeth or watchful waiting of the cavities. Nevertheless, if a child has cavities, many of these will go beyond the tooth, to infect the gums and face, said Berg. (Science Daily)
Swine Flu: Statistical Model Predicts 1,000 Cases In U.S. Within Three Weeks Apr 30, 2009
"Watchful waiting is the key right now for Hoosiers," Steele said. "For the general population, wash your hands, cover your mouths when you cough and sneeze. If you or your children develop flu-like symptoms, seek medical care; do not go to work, and don't send the kids to school if they're sick.". (Science Daily)
Pre-surgical Stress Management Improves Mood, Quality Of Life Apr 10, 2009
10, 2009) Brief stress management sessions prior to and immediately after surgery may have both short- and long-term benefit for men undergoing a radical prostatectomy for early-stage prostate cancer, according to research from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. The study, in the current issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology, is the first to examine the benefits of psychosocial intervention for prostate cancer patients prior to surgery. (Science Daily)
SPCG-4 trial: Update on watchful waiting versus radical prostatectomy Mar 22, 2009
Stockholm, 20 March - In 2005, the Scandinavian Prostate Cancer Group Study 4 (SPCG-4) reported that radical prostatectomy improved prostate cancer survival compared with watchful waiting after a median of 8. 2 years of follow-up. (EurekAlert!)
Paula's Health Notes: Listen Up Men Mar 21, 2009
In older men, doctors usually advise "watchful waiting". but it's more problematic with men under 60. (KLAS-TV)
Prostate cancer tests save few lives Mar 19, 2009
And there s no agreement on the best treatment approach watchful waiting, surgery, hormone therapy or radiation. The treatments can lead to impotence and incontinence. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Preventive care not always cost effective Mar 18, 2009
One example: Surgery instead of "watchful waiting" for 70-year-old men with new prostate cancer diagnoses. The task force also says there's not enough evidence for or against oral cancer screening and favors diabetes screenings in adults with no symptoms only if they have high blood pressure. (CNN)
'Watchful Waiting' Safe with Low-Risk Prostate Cancers Mar 18, 2009
Watchful Waiting' Safe With Low-Risk Prostate Cancers ... The 262 men in this study who decided on "watchful waiting" instead of immediate treatment met the following criteria: under age 75; prostate specific antigen (PSA) below 10 ng/ml; clinical stage T1-T2a; Gleason score 6 or below; and three or fewer positive cores at diagnostic biopsy ... The remaining 219 patients remained on watchful waiting without evidence of cancer progression. (MEDLINEplus)
Selected men with low-risk prostate cancer have good clinical outcomes without immediate treatment Mar 16, 2009
Investigators in the study show that two separate biopsies are needed to determine optimal selection of patients for active surveillance, also known as "watchful waiting" when patients decide not to undergo immediate treatment. Study author Scott Eggener, MD, assistant professor of surgery at the University of Chicago Medical Center, notes there are no widely-accepted recommendations on which patients are appropriate candidates for active surveillance or when to perform second or "restaging"... (EurekAlert!)
Freezing Prostate Cancer Does A Man's Body Good Mar 14, 2009
It also represents an advantage over "watchful waiting," because all treatment options are preserved ... "The data are unequivocal. If you're doing 'watchful waiting,' get mapped. If you're having radiation or hormone therapy or thinking about getting a 'nerve-sparing' radical prostatectomy, get mapped. If TRUS doesn't show all the cancer that's present, you're not going to have the proper treatment," said Onik ... Growing evidence of overdetection and overtreatment in many men with low-risk... (Science Daily)
More proof prostate tests overdiagnose cancer Mar 11, 2009
Because finding an early tumor forces men to choose among contested treatments "watchful waiting," surgery, hormone therapy, radiation. And because some treatments can cause incontinence and impotence, men whose tumors wouldn't have been a threat can suffer serious side effects for no gain. (MSNBC -- Health)
Stein: Fear-Mongers Keep Us In Recession Mar 9, 2009
I think it's time to hunker down and "watchful Waiting" should be the mantra for now as we survey the economic realities and not the Blue Skies being painted by this out of touch (okay, in my view) commentator. Amen. (CBS News)
Stat cruncher Feb 26, 2009
Having seen these types of diagnoses done, the patients are generally given a choice of whether to have watchful waiting or have it removed, but warned that there is a possibility of progression if it is not removed. As such, surely given that we are unable to tell which will progress, it is a positive thing to heavily diagnose these kinds of conditions. (BBC News -- UK)
'Spend smarter' on health care: Report Feb 24, 2009
" Abbott asked. One American study cited by the council concludes that 30% of health spending in the U.S. is wasted through unnecessary or inefficient practices. In Canada, the council says that while procedures such as cataract surgery are highly effective, sometimes they "provide poor value" -- for example, when performed on people with only slight vision loss. Back surgery can be effective but for some people "therapeutic exercises and watchful waiting may provide far more value for money.... (Toronto Sun)
Stimulus lets feds compare methods of health care Feb 16, 2009
How do drugs and "watchful waiting" compare with surgery as a treatment for leg pain that results from blockage of the arteries in the lower legs. Is it better to treat chronic heart failure by medications alone or by drugs and home monitoring of a patient's blood pressure and weight. (News & Observer)
Looking for a sign of deadly prostate cancer Feb 12, 2009
The conundrum for clinicians is that while many of the tumors can be highly aggressive and immediately life-threatening, others are so slow-growing that they can be safely ignored, a concept known as watchful waiting. But there has not been any good way to distinguish between the two forms. (Los Angeles Times)
Gene Mutations Increase Risk For Aggressive Prostate Cancer Feb 7, 2009
For example, a prostate cancer patient who has the BRCA2 mutation might vote against 'watchful waiting' in which the growth of the cancer is monitored and treatment is held in abeyance and instead opt for surgery or radiation treatments with or without hormone blockade therapy. For early-stage prostate cancer patients in the general population, knowing they carry the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation would also be useful, says Dr. Burk. (Science Daily)
