A new study has found that more number of US doctors are not immediately starting treatment on their low-risk prostate cancer patients sparing them from the torture of radiation and hormone therapy. They are, in fact, monitoring their health, a strategy known as watchful waiting.

The research has unveiled that from 1990 to 2009, the number of low-risk patients who did not undergo treatment was 7% and from 2010-2013, the percentage stands at 40%. It simply means that more number of patients is under watchful waiting approach.

Study’s lead researcher Mark Litwin from University of California termed the result great. Mark said they were expected to witness a rise in the monitoring approach, but would like to say that they were surprised to see the steepness of the trajectory.

The research results reveal, “Active surveillance and other observational strategies had produced excellent, long-term disease-specific survival and minimal side effects”.

The researchers said prostate cancer treatments like surgery or radiation can lead to side-effects, including incontinence and impotence. On the other hand, some prostate cancer grows at slow pace and is less likely to cause problems.

Otis Brawley, chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, said prostate cancer screening has led to over-treatment in over 20 years. As per the American Cancer Society, one in six US men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime and one in 36 will lose life due to the disease.