Specialists mean well when they make treatment recommendations.
Doctors often have insufficient office time to clearly explain treatment options and underestimate the patient's desire for and ability to cope with information. One factor leading to this practice is the current dearth of high quality research findings for localized prostate cancer. As scientists work to close the gap in treatment information, Wilt suggests that physicians encourage their prostate cancer patients to enroll in RCTs. Current treatment options are based solely on physician recommendations, patient testimonials, and news media reports relying on anecdotal comments and evidence from methodologically flawed studies. RCTs offer a chance for men diagnosed with prostate cancer to receive scientifically sound treatment while helping to further research on the disease.