Even if you are diagnosed as having prostate cancer, there is still some disagreement among experts as to when to treat it, and if so, what is the best treatment. The decision to treat depends on factors such as the type, grade and stage of the cancer. (See leaflet called Prostate Cancer for details.)
For example, there is no proof that treating early prostate cancers helps men live any longer than they would have done. Most men with early prostate cancer will not die as a result of it; in particular older men in their 70's or 80's, or those with a slow-growing cancer. Also, some of the treatments for prostate cancer can cause serious side effects in some cases.
