Won't My Cancer Spread If I Don't Get It Treated?

March 16, 2009 -- Question: Won't my cancer spread if I don't get it treated?

Answer: If you elect not to treat your cancer, if you were to have watchful waiting or surveillance, there is a risk that the prostate cancer could spread. But we know statistically the majority of cases of prostate cancer are not aggressive, are not life threatening, and in many cases, may not be ultimately that important to treat. We certainly feel younger men who have a long life expectancy probably deserve to be treated. But the risk of a cancer spreading, at least in a short period seems to be exceedingly small.