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A way of monitoring cancer that is slow growing or indolent, rather than treating it straight away. During this time, regular testing is undertaken to check the growth and spread of the cancer. Some patients find this treatment approach difficult to understand; however, many tumours, particularly in older people, do not cause problems for the patient, and active surveillance enables them to avoid the debilitating side effects of some cancer treatments. Also called watch and wait and watchful waiting.

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