Men diagnosed by prostate cancer who delay or avoid harsh treatments are not harming their chances of survival, according to a new study.  

The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that active monitoring of prostate cancer -- which involves regular tests to check on the cancer -- had the same high survival rates after 15 years as radiotherapy or surgery.

On the other hand, the negative impacts of radiotherapy and surgery on urinary and sexual function persist were found to be much longer than previously thought -- for up to 12 years.