How Changing a Name Could Reduce Prostate Cancer Overtreatment

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men, yet not all cases require aggressive treatment. In fact, many prostate cancers grow so slowly that they pose little to no immediate threat. However, the very word “cancer” often instills fear, prompting patients and doctors to choose treatments—such as surgery and radiation—that may not be necessary. Could changing the name of certain prostate cancers help curb overtreatment and improve patient outcomes?

The Problem of Overtreatment

When men hear they have prostate cancer, they often assume the worst. This reaction is understandable, as cancer is widely associated with life-threatening consequences. However, many cases of prostate cancer, particularly low-grade forms classified as Gleason 6, progress so slowly that they are unlikely to cause harm within a patient’s lifetime. Despite this, fear-driven decision-making leads some men to pursue treatments that carry significant risks, including:

• urinary incontinence
• erectile dysfunction
• bowel complications

Active surveillance—an approach that involves closely monitoring the cancer without immediate treatment—is a recommended strategy for many low-risk cases. Unfortunately, the psychological burden of the word “cancer” often leads patients to opt for unnecessary interventions instead of ongoing monitoring.

A Potential Solution: Renaming Gleason 6 Prostate Cancer

Some experts propose that reclassifying Gleason 6 prostate cancer by removing the term “cancer” could help reduce unnecessary treatments. The idea is not unprecedented—similar renaming strategies have been used successfully in other medical fields. For example:

• Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)—a non-invasive form of breast cancer—has been debated for a name change to reflect its low-risk nature.
• Papillary thyroid cancer—a slow-growing variant—has been reclassified in some cases to avoid unnecessary interventions.

Applying this approach to prostate cancer could help reshape patient perceptions and encourage more men to embrace active surveillance rather than opting for surgery or radiation out of fear.

Balancing Awareness and Action

Renaming Gleason 6 prostate cancer is not about downplaying its importance but rather ensuring that patients make informed choices based on actual risk rather than fear. Educating both doctors and patients about the true nature of low-risk prostate cancer is crucial. With better awareness and terminology that reflects the condition’s slow progression, fewer men may undergo unnecessary treatments, preserving their quality of life.

To learn more, check out this summary from University of California San Francisco.

The conversation around renaming Gleason 6 prostate cancer continues to gain traction within the medical community. While name changes alone won’t eliminate overtreatment, they could be an important step toward more personalized and evidence-based prostate cancer care. By promoting a shift in language, we may help more men feel comfortable choosing active surveillance over aggressive interventions, ultimately improving outcomes and reducing unnecessary harm.

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