According to a recent report by NPR, men are increasingly selecting robotic prostate surgery, even when they are diagnosed with low risk, slow-growing prostate cancer and not likely to benefit from the heavily marketed new procedures. The study, published in JAMA, also reports that robotic prostate surgery is even increasing among older men diagnosed with slow-growing prostate cancer, who are much more likely to die of other causes. According to the report, men older than 65 with low risk prostate cancer have a 20% risk of dying from the cancer and a 60% chance of dying from another cause.
In recent years, many groups have urged physicians and patients to ease up on early prostate cancer screenings, because of the risk of unnecessary treatment, including prostate surgery resulting in incontinence, impotence, and climacturia (sexual incontinence experienced by up to half of men undergoing prostate surgery). A doctor quoted in the NPR report suggests less frequent testing for younger, low risk patients as a way to steer clear of the temptation to go ahead with new treatments.
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