Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

After Hearing 'Cancer,' Waiting's Tough

Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.
James Borchuck
/
The Florida Channel
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.

If human beings were guided only by logic, they would be likely to agree when research indicates "watchful waiting" is the best course for certain conditions that may be called "cancer." But emotions like fear make that tough, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

This has been noted for years with prostate cancer; some men who have unaggressive tumors and who are unlikely to die from their tumors nevertheless insist on treatment that can have serious side-effects. Now it's women's turn to be antsy, with ductal carcinoma in situ, a condition that can turn into breast cancer or disappear on its own. 

Originally founded in December 2006 as an independent grassroots publication dedicated to coverage of health issues in Florida, Health News Florida was acquired by WUSF Public Media in September 2012.