Hi Jason
I was diagnosed with Pca at 49 and chose AS. My doctor made it clear, due to my age, at some point I would have to get treatment, but it might be 5, 10 or 15 years from now. He said even if it was 15 years, I would still be relatively young and fine for the surgery. You're only 42. You're in your prime. I don't know why anyone would say AS isn't the right choice for your age. Wouldn't anyone want to put off any treatment and side effects if they could.
Sure there's a risk, but it's low. There's a risk for sugery, for radiation, for when you get in your car or cross the crosswalk. Maybe I'm naive, but I don't think doctors would recommend AS if they thought the risk was the least bit high. Plus what if a better treatment was developed while you were waiting. Lucky you.
In the end, I had to get treatment. Brachytherapy sounded pretty enticing, but I wasn't sure what the long, long term affects would be. The results look pretty good over 10 or 15 years, but I plan on living a long life. I don't see any reason why not to and I wasn't sure what affect the radiation would have on me over a longer period.
I ended up choosing the Da Vinci surgery. For me, the side effects aren't that bad. I can still get an erection without any drugs and for the most part, don't need a pad unless I'm involved in a vigorous activity or vigorous drinking.
Like me, most people on this site are supportive of whatever option they chose. I think a lot of people come here, not to be persuaded, but to have whatever choice they're considering confirmed.
I have a feeling you already know what you want to do. Whether it's AS, surgery or radiation, it will be a good choice and the right one for you.
DD