New research from Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia involving data from 48,000 men shows that prostate cancer patients older than 65 who treat the disease with surgery or radiation live three years longer than those who opt for watchful waiting.

Because prostate cancer is slow growing, many doctors recommend no treatment at all to men of this age group. The new research, reported at a conference sponsored by American Society of Clinical Oncologists earlier this month, counters that.

If caught early, prostate cancer has a five-year survival rate of 99 percent, a 10-year survival rate of 83 percent and a 15-year survival rate of 71 percent.

The National Prostate Cancer Coalition recommends that all men, younger if African American or with a family history of the disease, should begin annual screening no later than age 50.