How to Pronounce Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer

Say it like this: AK-tiv ser-VAY-lans. The first word rhymes with 'attract,' and the second word sounds like 'sur' (like in 'surface') plus 'VAIL' (rhymes with 'mail') plus 'ens.' The stress falls on the first syllable of each word: AK and VAY.

'Active' here means you're doing something ongoing, not sitting still. It doesn't mean the cancer is aggressive—it means the doctors are actively watching and monitoring the situation with regular checkups.

'Surveillance' (ser-VAY-lans) means careful watching or monitoring over time. Think of it like keeping an eye on something to see if anything changes. It comes from French and Latin words meaning 'to watch over.'

Break it like this: AC-tiv sur-VEIL-ance. 'Active' has two syllables, and 'surveillance' has three syllables, making five syllables total.

You could say 'watchful waiting' or 'careful monitoring.' It describes a strategy where doctors keep a close eye on something instead of rushing into immediate action.

It's often shortened to 'AS' in medical writing and conversations. You would say it as 'A-S' (letter by letter), not as a single word.

Many people say 'sur-VEIL-ance' (stressing the middle syllable), but the correct stress is on the second syllable: ser-VAY-lans. It rhymes with 'ballet,' not 'veil.'

'Surveillance' comes from the same root as 'survey' and 'surveyor.' In medicine, you might also hear terms like 'clinical surveillance' or 'post-market surveillance,' all meaning organized, ongoing observation.

Here's an example: 'The doctor explained that active surveillance means regular checkups rather than immediate intervention.' This shows how the term is used to describe a specific monitoring approach.