In particular to prostate cancer, the challenge for the patient in obtaining accurate information and relevant recommendations is find the right person to ask their questions to; what science to believe; and how to sort through the conflicting opinions. Frustrating the patient to the point of just giving up on finding out what is best for them and jumping into a decision that may have serious consequences. That is the state of our healthcare system today and why support groups play an instrumental role.
Between general misinformation, creating an educational problem, and the conviction on the part of many (?) urologists that treatment is the proper course of action , education about active surveillance is absolutely vital. And the need to see that such education is easily available may be the major issue, as far as doctors and patients both are concerned.
In particular to prostate cancer, the challenge for the patient in obtaining accurate information and relevant recommendations is find the right person to ask their questions to; what science to believe; and how to sort through the conflicting opinions. Frustrating the patient to the point of just giving up on finding out what is best for them and jumping into a decision that may have serious consequences. That is the state of our healthcare system today and why support groups play an instrumental role.
amen to that message
Bless you.
Education is key as you say. Many docs are involved. As patients, we've been working on it. There is a long way to go.
Between general misinformation, creating an educational problem, and the conviction on the part of many (?) urologists that treatment is the proper course of action , education about active surveillance is absolutely vital. And the need to see that such education is easily available may be the major issue, as far as doctors and patients both are concerned.