Prostate Cancer and Proton Treatment

Proton Therapy: A beam of hope for so many!

2011-10-10T14:30:00.003-04:00

Until 1990 all proton therapy was delivered in high-energy, physics-research laboratories. Loma Linda University Medical Center and James M. Slater, changed that. Dr. Slater's major field of interest prior to becoming a physician was physics. Therefore, he was already aware of the clinical interest in protons and other heavy charged particles.

In 1990, after almost 20 years of research, Loma Linda University Medical Center, in cooperation with Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and the Proton Therapy Cooperative Group, opened the world's first hospital-based proton-beam accelerator dedicated to the treatment of patients with cancer. Though not a cure for all forms of cancer, it has become a major advancement in the treatment of "localized cancer," a malignant tumor that is still in its original site and has not yet spread throughout the body.

Today 11 (9 US, 2 international...NCC Seoul and Rinicker Center Munich) centers are recognized as destinations for proton beam therapy for treatment. Read more here at the National Proton Therapy Organization. 7 centers are now in construction or development within the US. Over 90,000 have been treated with proton beam therapy. There are many support white papers and 15 year clinical studies published in support of proton (you will find most here on this blog). Most insurance carries approve this FDA approved treatment. If not insured you will find some US centers with a cash out of pocket program or travel abroad to NCC Seoul or Rinicher Center for affordable treatment costs.

If you have discovered PBT you are fortunate and have taken charge of your treatment decsion. Please read the many posts here. This may just give you a peace of mind in your cancer journey. Best of health to all!

Get Serious About PSA testing for Prostate Cancer

2011-07-27T11:15:00.005-04:00

Today I read an new article about a local musician in Dyerbgurg TN. He passed away from prostate cancer at the age 52 today. He was diagnosed stage 4 prostate cancer in 2010 and it had already spread to lymph nodes and his bones. It caught him as a surprise in the prime of his life. Here is the story. http://www.stategazette.com/story/1747556.html

I was lucky. I started PSA testing when I was 52 and by chance completing a full blood panel of tests at that time. My first PSA was 1.2 in 2006. Clinically that fits the norm range up to 4.0 not to be concerned. I continued to monitor and had 2 more bumps to 2.9 6 months later. In 2007 my PSA tripled to 5.8. I was concerned changed my attending physician as there was no concern at that time. My new physician confirmed at my age It would be a killer if I discovered cancer and not treated. I made an appointment after that with a urologists in October 1 2007.

The tests came back the next day and indeed I had cancer and you may read the story here.

A day does not go by that I am so thankful to still be alive and in just great health due to this marvelous treatment called proton beam therapy. I was so lucky to have done such a simple test back in 2006. I am sure today undiscovered it would have been my demise and I would not be writing how well I am doing and promoting proton therapy.

Do yourself and your family a life saver and get tested with a simple PSA test. Ignoring this test may cost your life and take heed that clinically it can not be determined how aggressive the cancer is. So get treated! Don't gamble with your life and rob you friends and family of your companionship.

So Happy to be alive and Cheers!

Sexual Health in Men Declines After Prostate Surgery

2011-07-05T13:14:00.006-04:00

Hopefully you have found this blog in your due diligence and research for treatment of prostate cancer. Proton therapy with its minimal side effects as it was for me is the option to consider as these types of reports come in frequently. Please read this article:
Sexual health is worse than expected in nearly half of all men who undergo surgery for prostate cancer, according to a poll.

Sexual function was shown to have decreased while incontinence problems increased.

Prior to the surgery, some men in the study expected to have better sexual and urinary function a year after surgery than prior to it. That belief is not realistic, Daniela Wittmann, sexual health coordinator at the urology department of the University of Michigan, told Reuters.

"Men have unrealistic expectations of urinary and sexual function after prostatectomy despite preoperative counseling," Wittmann and her colleagues wrote. more:

Permanent nerve damage experienced during prostate cancer surgery

2011-06-19T20:56:00.004-04:00

I created this blog as the start of my prostate cancer journey. My treatment of choice was proton beam therapy. It is information like the following that just makes sense to consider the advantages of proton beam therapy in treating your cancer:

Permanent nerve damage experienced during surgery: When nerve damage occurs anywhere in the body, the tissues to which the damaged nerves supply impulses usually experience atrophy or breakdown. This can often be seen in paraplegic, wheelchair bound people in whom the loss of nerve signal causes a significant decrease in the size and muscle mass of the legs. The same can be said of the penis after nerve damage during prostatectomy. If permanent nerve damage occurs, the lack of impulses to smooth muscle of the penis leads to an atrophy or breakdown of the tissues responsible for erections and causes the penis to shrink both in length and girth.

Read on: http://myprostatedoc.blogspot.com/2011/06/shortening-of-penis-after-prostatectomy.html

Prostate Cancer Symptoms - Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF)

2011-06-05T17:03:00.002-04:00

Prostate Cancer Symptoms - Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF)

I am posting these symptoms from the Prostate Cancer Foundation for the benefit of first time visits to this site and those starting the journey with diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Not everyone experiences symptoms of prostate cancer. Many times, signs of prostate cancer are first detected by a doctor during a routine check-up.

Some men, however, will experience changes in urinary or sexual function that might indicate the presence of prostate cancer. These symptoms include:

A need to urinate frequently, especially at night
Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine
Weak or interrupted flow of urine
Painful or burning urination
Difficulty in having an erection
Painful ejaculation
Blood in urine or semen
Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs

You should consult with your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms above.

Because these symptoms can also indicate the presence of other diseases or disorders, such as BPH or prostatitis, men will undergo a thorough work-up to determine the underlying cause.

Proton therapy of cancer: Potential clinical advantages and cost-effectiveness

2011-05-05T11:02:00.005-04:00

I came across this study by Medical Management center in Stockholm Sweden. It approaches the topic of cost effectiveness proton beam therapy vs other modalities for cancer treatment. I present this as there is an underlying question "is proton worth the costs". For me as a cancer survivor treated successfully with no side effects it is just makes sense to consider proton therapy for treatment as you will see as you review my blog. I put a lot of value of leading a normal life while not suffering side effects. So to me it was worth the costs.

Unfortunately it is so difficult to evaluate all the options that are available in treatment of cancer. While medical professionals provide their best advise based on there area of expertise, it is you who will have to make the final decision in selecting the treatment. Time is not on your side as clinical reports come in over the years. I, like you did not or do not have the luxury to debate this issue.

The following study goes like this: "Proton therapy may offer potential clinical advantages compared with conventional radiation therapy for many cancer patients. Due to the large investment costs for building a proton therapy facility, however, the treatment cost with proton
radiation is higher than with conventional radiation. It is therefore important to evaluate whether the medical benefits of proton therapy are large enough to motivate the higher costs."

"The results of this study indicate that proton therapy may be a cost-effective treatment if appropriate risk groups are chosen as targets for proton therapy, and that an investment in a proton therapy facility may be cost-effective compared to using conventional radiation": Click here to see the complete study.

Prostate surgery leaves another one impotent

2011-04-01T15:32:00.004-04:00

I read this article today:

'I'm a ladies' man who can never make love': Andrew Lloyd Webber reveals prostate cancer battle has left him impotent

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1371379/Andrew-Lloyd-Webber-reveals-prostate-cancer-battle-left-impotent.html#ixzz1IIm1rDzj

Become your own advocate do your research and consider proton beam therapy for prostate cancer. I see this happening every day as this story including friends who think the physician has there best interest at heart when it comes to prostate surgery. They say the may spare the nerves but the statistics are clear that only 11% retain any type of sexuality and it is not what I would consider acceptable. It does not have to be this way. Your cancer can be treated without the loss and many side effects that other treatments leave. Please review this blog as it provides many details about proton beam therapy. I am three years out from my proton beam therapy treatment and have not loss a day of work, wore diapers, had a catheter or loss my sexuality. No ED! What a peace of mind to continue life normally and have the cancer successfully treated.

Comparison Tables proton, photon(xray, IMRT) Prostatectomy

2011-03-31T23:55:00.002-04:00

The following link should be reviewed by all newly diagnosed with localized and cancers including prostate cancer. It clearly demonstrates outcomes and side effects in comparison to proton, photon and prostatectomy. Comparison Tables proton, photon(xray, IMRT) Prostatectomy.

One more reason not to consider surgery for prostate cancer

2011-02-03T11:01:00.003-05:00

Men aged 70 or older had a 1.45-fold greater hazard risk of biochemical recurrence following prostatectomy. Overall survival was lowest for men of this age group who underwent surgery.

"Clinicopathological features of prostate cancer appear to be more aggressive as one ages. We found that men 70 years old or older had worse outcomes with respect to biochemical recurrence-free, prostate cancer specific and overall survival. Implications for screening and treatment recommendations are yet to be defined,"

Read more here: http://www.doctorslounge.com/index.php/news/pb/17460

Do your homework and please review this blog about the benefits of proton therapy.

Prostate Cancer a call to do something when diagnosed!

2011-01-21T18:42:00.011-05:00

Here setting center seeing what prostate cancer can do if ignored, I want to mention to those starting the process to take head of this post. My earlier posts praise the process of being treated with proton therapy and how easy it was to manage. I was lucky to move on my cancer early. Left untreated I had a raging triple growth of PSA before diagnosed with cancer. Statistically and at 53 years old I faced an enormous battle verified with attending physicians and oncologists that I would die from it at an early age. I am convinced now three years later that I may not have even been here if left untreated. How lucky to discover it and move on it. This humbles me. I appreciate life and as you read I continue to be a active as an advocate and dedicated my career in helping patients seek cancer treatment.

As of this post I have had over 5500 visitors to this blog and have mentored 100's personally since I started this project. Some take action, get aggressive and treat their cancer and that is positive. Its the ones that I cross that waited too long and are faced with their final battle with life. Metastatic prostate or any type of metastatic cancer is no longer curable.

As such, the therapy or treatment for metastatic cancer is considered palliative. Therefore, early detection remains the key for ultimately improving survival from this disease. The treatment for metastatic prostate cancer (cancer which has gone from the prostate to other parts of the body) has not changed significantly since the 1940’s. Prostate cancer is stimulated to grow by the male hormone testosterone. By blocking testosterone, prostate cancer will go into remission (either stop growing, or at least grow more slowly). Eighty percent of men with metastatic prostate cancer will respond to hormonal therapy (blocking testosterone). The response is a temporary one due to the fact that the cancer will mutate (change) and begin to grow despite the absence of testosterone. Half of men treated with hormonal therapy will develop disease that no longer responds to hormone treatment within three years of instituting therapy. You may read of alternative treatments but the outcome is similar and at the most only gives you a few months more of life.

Please if you are diagnosed with cancer take heed of what this post is saying and get aggressive and treat your cancer early. Its not worth the risks.

Procure Proton Center Chicago Opens to Patients

2010-12-17T15:30:00.006-05:00

This is a recent visit to a ProCure proton cancer center in Chicago area this week. Noah (KMI Marketing Director of Seoul Korea) Len Arzt (NAPT Director DC) and myself were given a tour by John Frick (ProCure Director) of this sophisticated proton facility. This center just recently opened up to patients ...last month. I am happy to see these new proton centers open up in the US. More centers are planned but development is in the years.

Awareness of proton therapy is my passion so that others may discover this wonderful treatment as an option for a cure for cancer. Proton therapy has very little side effects allowing patients to lead normal lives during and after treatment. Our objective of this visit was to create a synergy internationally with proton centers globally. Noah & I represent the National Cancer Center proton center in Seoul Korea. http://protonkorea.com/

You can find more information on proton cancer therapy treatment at http://www.proton-therapy.org/

I am happy to mentor to those that are interested. Email curtispoling@bellsouth.net

Proton Therapy Continues to Provide Exceptional Results

2010-11-16T22:31:00.002-05:00

I must take pause and announce that I am three years from my original diagnosis of prostate cancer I am happy to report my new PSA tests are at .80 nadir. What a joy to continue to report such great results from proton therapy. Three years ago I was Gleason 3+3+=6 staging T1c, PSA was at 5.8. My PSA had tripled in 8 months time so I had to move on the cancer and be aggressive in my approach.

I have had no side effects and that includes NO ED!

I am happy to continue to mentor many who have unfortunately have been diagnosed with cancer whatever the type. I know how anxious these times may be. Please continue to read my blog and consider the great attributes of living a life with so few side effects while treating the cancer.

For those who are uninsured or paying cash out of pocket for proton treatment please check out my new project at ProtonKorea.

Life is Good!

11 percent had returned to their pre-surgery sexual function two years after prostatectomy

2010-09-16T19:55:00.004-04:00

If you are considering prostate cancer surgery please review studies as this and explore my protstate cancer blog before making a decision. This study came across from Rueters...Read on:

Sex problems vex men long after prostate surgery

Sexual problems appear to be more distressful to men after prostate-removal surgery than urinary problems do, a new long-term follow-up study shows.

The findings suggest that while men may get used to incontinence and other urinary problems after surgery, sexual function is so important to them that adapting to a lower level of functioning is more difficult, Dr. Walter R. Parker and colleagues from the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor report.

All of the 434 men in the study had localized prostate cancer, meaning the disease had not spread beyond the prostate gland, and each underwent radical prostatectomy - complete removal of the gland. The approach is controversial when used to treat early-stage disease because of the impact the surgery can have on men's quality of life and the low risk that the disease will be fatal.

Because the men have such a high likelihood of survival, long-term quality of life becomes an important consideration. Parker and his team used a survey called the Expanded Prostate cancer Index Composite (EPIC) designed to assess various aspects of quality of life after prostate cancer treatment and theirs is the first study to compare men's scores before the surgery and a full five years afterwards.

The results showed that urinary function and incontinence worsened soon after the surgery, but had improved by 12 months after the surgery, at which point 38 percent of the men had reached baseline levels of urinary function. This improvement remained stable up until four years after the surgery, and then declined.

In terms of "urinary bother"-meaning how bothersome men found their urinary symptoms-three-quarters of patients had returned to their baseline levels within a year of the surgery, while 21 percent actually showed a significant improvement in urinary bother four years after surgery.

Although men's sexual function continued improving for up to two years after the surgery, just 28 percent had returned to the level of sexual function they reported before the surgery at this point. And the level of sexual bother they reported didn't improve until 12 months after the surgery; at three years after the surgery, about 37 percent of men reported the same level of sexual trouble that they had before undergoing the surgery.

Among men who reported high levels of sexual function before the surgery, just 11 percent had returned to their pre-surgery sexual function two years after prostatectomy, compared to about 63 percent of the men with low sexual function.

The authors write that they were surprised by the mismatch between "bother" levels and recovery of function. Despite fewer than half of the men (38 percent) returning to preoperative urinary function levels at 12 months, for example, three quarters of them (74 percent) reported being back at their baseline distress levels over it -- suggesting they had become used to their new level of function.

With sexual function, the pattern was opposite. "Interestingly," they write, "the expected improvement in sexual bother scores over time as patients habituated to their decreased...function was not found."

While men in the study did not undergo a "structured and recorded recovery program" to restore sexual function after the surgery, Parker and his colleagues note, they were instructed to do Kegel exercises and offered prescriptions for drugs to restore erectile function.

But given the weak, slow improvement seen in men's sexual function in the current study, the researchers add, they have initiated a "structured early and long-term erectile rehabilitation program to augment sexual recovery as early as possible, yet also convince patients to maintain their erectile rehabilitation efforts long-term."

SOURCE: link.reuters.com/suq24p BJU International, online August 26, 2010.

Conventional prostate cancer treatments increase risk of blood clots by 250 percent

2010-08-22T17:39:00.001-04:00

Here is a reason to take pause with traditional gold standard prostate cancer surgery:

A recent study published in The Lancet Oncology has found that men with prostate cancer are twice as likely as healthy men to suffer a blood clot, and those with the disease who undergo certain conventional treatments are at an even greater risk.

The study involved 76,000 Swedish men who were evaluated based on the number of cases of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism and arterial embolism that occurred. Participants on hormone therapy were twice as likely to suffer a pulmonary embolism and two-and-a-half times more likely to have DVT than those who did not receive the treatment.

Similar results were observed for those receiving curative prostate cancer treatments. Pulmonary embolism risk doubled as a result of the treatment while DVT risk increased by 173 percent.

Click here for the complete article.

Prostate cancer treatment sex truths played down

2010-08-21T17:14:00.003-04:00

Many doctors play down the possible side effects of prostate cancer treatment on men's sex lives, for fear they'll be scared off, a world leader in the field has told an international conference on the Gold Coast.

"It's surprising to me how many men I see after radical prostate surgery who are unaware they will not ejaculate again," he said.

"There has been a bit of a tradition in the field of minimising the side effects and quoting only the best possible results, or talking about partial sexual function as thought it's full sexual function."

Director of the Sloan-Kettering centre's sexual and reproductive medicine program Dr John Mulhall says GPs have a responsibility to educate their patients.

If you have recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and researching your options please read my many resources on this blog. This is why I chose proton therapy to minimize side effects and continue a normal life. You have the same options too. Please feel free to drop me a note at Email Curtis I will answer your questions about this wonderful proton beam treatment for prostate cancer.

Credit for this story can be read here.

Brunswick man, cancer survivor to recruit patients for proton radiation treatment

2010-08-10T22:15:00.003-04:00

Here is recent article published about my cancer journey:

When Curtis Poling found out he had prostate cancer, he momentarily considered doing nothing over the treatment options he was presented.

"It's devastating what it could do to a man," said Poling, who was 53 at the time.

"When (the surgeon) said I'd have to wear diapers for a year and the words 'leakage' and 'lose sexual function,' I was just sick."

The side effects of treating prostate cancer can be overwhelming. In addition to the effects of chemotherapy and surgery, radiation can cause urinary, bowel and erectile dysfunction.

Poling believes he found a better way.

Please read on here.

Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

2010-08-07T11:29:00.000-04:00

For those visiting this blog for the first time, I am re posting the start of my prostate cancer journey:

My PSA doubled from 2.9 in 8 months to 5.8 in 2007. Family doctor thought I should see an Urologist. No symptoms just getting up a couple of times at night in the last year. Besides my father didn't have prostate cancer until age 71 (successfully treated with seeds to date). I figured I had 20 more years not to worry.

Well the Urologist performed a digital on my prostate said it felt normal but slightly enlarged. He decided to test my PSA again but it shouldn't be anything to worry about. My PSA came back at over 5.0 so he decided to schedule a biopsy. They did the ultrasound and cored 12 samples out of me. The anxiety of the procedure was worse than the actual biopsy. No sweat! They said the ultrasound looked just like any 53-year-old prostate and looked normal from that point. I left the office feeling a little sore but somewhat relieved.

They called my wife the next day and said I had cancer and to see the Urologist the next day. It was a tough day for me, needless to say, thinking I was home free for now. Please read on.

The Top Ten Prostate Cancer Myths

2010-07-04T22:35:00.001-04:00

Myth #1 – Prostate cancer¹ is common, but few men actually die from it. In fact, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the United States and claims almost 30,000 lives in the United States each year.
Myth #2 – Prostate cancer is only found in elderly men. While it is true that prostate cancer is more common with increasing age², it can be found in men of all ages. Prostate cancer is increasingly being diagnosed in men in their forties and fifties.
Myth #3 – If you don’t have any symptoms, then you don’t have prostate cancer. Today, because of the widespread use of the PSA test³ for prostate cancer screening, most men are actually diagnosed⁴ with prostate cancer before they have had any symptoms. Urinary symptoms⁵ like hesitancy, frequency, or dribbling are important and could mean a problem with your prostate. However, not having these symptoms does not rule out prostate cancer.

Please read on:

Proton beam therapy has been used for over 50 years

2010-07-04T17:01:00.005-04:00

Well I could not hold myself back on what seems an endless rhetoric of comments on proton therapy posted through the various groups on the internet. They usually go like this:

"Has anyone undergone this treatment as their primary form of treatment and are dissatisfied with the results?? The cancer forums are full of glowing testimonials claiming full cures with no side effects but I suspect there is a dark side to this procedure that goes unreported..I notice no one talks about the cost and the hassle of relocating to one of the few treatment centers for 8 or 10 weeks...

Does proton beam really enjoy a higher success rate than standard external beam radiation??"...as it goes

My reply to this reads like this.....

Loma Linda Medical University has treated over 10,000 prostate patients since the early 90's. You will be hard pressed to find a dark side to proton therapy vs other forms of treatment available. With the treatment being offered for pediatric cancers, brain, eye, lung early stage cancers the proton beam is a powerful instrument of cure. If you are looking at justifying cost with an means that cures children and so many types of cancer with no long term side effects...why would you ask this question? How do you put a value on saving a childs life or reducing the pain suffering from lung cancer. Proton beam therapy has been with us since the early 50's (referencing "Handbook of accelerator physics and engineering" By Alex Chao) it states.."page 30 "Even with less sophisticated delivery systems, dose distributions of proton and ion beams are considerably better then even the best x-ray systems, and successful clinical programs with these beams have been ongoing for almost 50 years."

For those that are under-insured and uninsured (no insurance) or need financing, there are many options for proton treatment within reasonable costs (please contact me if you need help). Yes I have battled cancer and was treated with Proton with 45 sessions. I have no side effects and doing just great. To me the small inconvenience of being away from home for 9 weeks was far better than what other forms of treatment side effects offered. If you have been diagnosed with cancer and proton beam therapy is an option please take a look it. It will be a wise decision.

Don't Let Them Cut You, Man!

2010-06-20T20:26:00.005-04:00

Today he told me that, after meeting with three urologists, he's "comfortable" with surgery.

I can't imagine how anyone can get comfortable with an operation that is going to remove their prostate, their seminal vesicles, some lymph nodes and the involuntary sphincter that controls their urine, but all I could say was: Go to a good surgeon then.

Here's what someone I met at the Proton Therapy Center at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas, told me about the way surgeons make their pitch. He was getting "salvage" proton therapy to cure his cancer after a prominent surgeon in New York City botched the job.

The urologist is a surgeon, and, no matter how well he covers your other options, his emphasis will be on a surgical solution. He's not likely to recommend another surgeon either. In his mind, he is your best option. Please the rest of this story here. Think about it!

Proton Forum in Seoul Korea

2010-06-20T19:51:00.011-04:00

This is an invite to what promises to be a great cause in providing affordable proton beam therapy cancer:

My name is Curtis Poling and I invite you to visit the new National Cancer Center (NCC) facilities in Seoul Korea. Experience exotic Korea and tour the NCC PBT facilities as I have. My prostate cancer was treated with Proton Beam Therapy successfully. I have full confidence that Proton Beam Treatment is the BEST option for prostate cancer. But insurance approval to receive this PBT treatment was not an easy process. Perseverance in being my own patient advocate and finally overcoming insurance denials paid off. Since that time I have become passionate seeking out affordable PBT for underinsured, uninsured or expedient treatment process. Now I am asking you to get involved as an advocate for your own care option! Become part of a viable program and finally be a winner in the battle with cancer. Please visit the new gateway for proton treatment at http:/pbtkorea.com
Curtis Poling, Prostate Cancer Survivor

Considering Proton Treatment for Prostate Cancer

2010-05-24T17:36:00.011-04:00

I read in recent prostate blogs and groups that proton beam radiation therapy is becoming more difficult for insurance approval. The sign of our times is putting more value on the actual cost of treatment versus pain, side effects and loss of bodily functions. Medical professionals like to quote this… "Many men do extremely well after PBRT (proton beam radiation therapy) ... but that is true for every type of therapy, particularly in the case of men with low-risk prostate cancer"... This statement oversimplifies the outcome of the procedures and is self serving for the treating physician. You need to be your own patient advocate during this discovery process.

There is a dynamic difference in treatments and side effects. If you consider IMRT, IGRT or Cyberknife, these treatments are all forms of photon x-ray beams and have collateral damage to all tissue exposed. Proton beam therapy only ionizes the actual tumor and not the surrounding tissue due to Bragg peak properties of the beam.

If you have recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer please read through this blog and consider the consequences of other treatments. If you decide as I did on proton therapy you can lead a normal life keeping your sexuality with no loss of bodily functions or pain during and after proton treatment. Continue to forge ahead do not give up on being treated with proton beam therapy.

I read prostate cancer treatment posts daily and it is so sad to see so many men regretting their decision of prostate cancer treatment. Please read this 41 year old gentleman’s story at PSA Rising website. This is just one of the thousands of sad stories to read if you do a little of research. Yes they did treat their cancer but at what cost to quality of life during the cure.

It has now been 2 1/2 years since my proton therapy and I have not lost a day to surgery, pain, loss of sexuality, strength or urination from my prostate cancer treatment. I know I have made the right decision. Please feel free to drop me note if you need any assistance or advice through the process. I do have resources to assist.

Live the life you’ve imagined

2010-05-16T15:43:00.016-04:00

The promenade in life quickly gets lost in the everyday diversions of problems and our personal accountability for each other. I ran into this saying rummaging through some signs in a store ”Live the life you've imagined”. What a marvelous inspirational quote by Henry David Thoreau. It reads completely:

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler. “– Henry David Thoreau (1817 – 1862)

Reflection on these words has reminded me to pursue our dreams even though we have been diagnosed with a dreadful disease as cancer. I consider myself lucky that I am aware of this revelation and able to do something about it. Today I start anew “Live the life you’ve imagined”.

Celebrate Life!

Prostate Cancer Treatment Primer

2010-04-18T14:37:00.011-04:00

Prostate Cancer Treatment Options

The appropriate treatment for prostate cancer is not always clear. Treatment options vary based on the stage of the tumor. In the early stages, you have several options including surgery, radiation therapy, or, in older patients, monitoring the cancer without active treatment.

Prostate cancer that has spread may be treated with drugs to reduce testosterone levels, surgery to remove the testes, or chemotherapy.

Surgery, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy can interfere with sexual desire or performance on either a temporary or permanent basis. You can continue to read about most of your options here.

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 53 and selected proton beam therapy. You can read the early stages of my prostate cancer journey here. Today my PSA is .8 with no side effects. I did not experience any loss of bodily function and have a normal healthy life.

Please do your research and do what is best for you. Your physician may not be in the best position to completely analysis what options are available to you. I put a lot of emphasis on quality of life during and after the treatment. Proton therapy for me has been a blessing.

Cheers for proton therapy!

Quest for Affordable Proton Therapy

2010-04-05T20:15:00.017-04:00

This post presents my quest for affordable proton beam therapy. If you decide as I did that PBT is your course of prostate cancer treatment, you will find these costs are daunting for the under-insured or for uninsured out of pocket medical expense. The current state of

U.S.

health care reform may also have a big impact on who receives this treatment.

I recently journeyed halfway around the globe and toured the National Cancer Center proton treatment center in Seoul Korea. This proton center was constructed by IBA builder of 50% of the worlds proton centers. The NCC installed a Hydrogen ion, 230Mev. 220 tons Cyclotron and was built almost simultaneously as the Florida Proton Center in Jacksonville FL in 2007.

The National Cancer Center in Seoul Korea facility is welcoming patients from around the globe. I found Korea a fascinating, exotic and extremely comfortable destination for medical tourism. The Korean people are most generous with their hospitality.

I have determined that a US resident can make this journey to Seoul Korea, live comfortably, and be treated at this facility with no more concerns than any US based center. Proton treatment abroad at the NCC Proton Center is 1/3 the cost (including your airfare and housing) of US based PBT centers. Consultation scheduling is almost immediate and treatment will start from a few days of consultation.

You can read more about this journey on my new Affordable Proton Therapy blog.

Proton Therapy for Prostate Cancer Continues to Provide Excellent Results

2010-03-18T20:32:00.002-04:00

I can happily report that my PSA is still at .8 nadir 2 years after my last proton treatment. I have not experienced any side effects and in all fairness feeling just great. Wow two years later from a high of 5.8 and I owe it all to the Bragg peak abilities of the proton beam.

I was fortunate to receive proton for prostate cancer treatment, considering that total treatment capacity is less than 3% of the annual cases in the U.S. proton centers. The American Cancer Society's most recent estimates for prostate cancer in the United States are for 2009:

* 192,280 new cases of prostate cancer
* 27,360 deaths from prostate cancer

This brings my story to a new chapter in this prostate cancer journey. My next post will reveal the true and tremendous obstacles I had in obtaining and receiving proton beam therapy. Proton beam therapy almost didn’t happen for me. I will post my new quest to provide this PBT treatment as an affordable option for many others. Life is good and cheers!

Drum Roll Please

2010-03-08T01:35:00.000-05:00

Well we have a drum roll! I have a new PSA test scheduled this week 2/12/2010. I will post the results as soon as they arrive. On another front I will be soon reporting on a exciting and new journey with proton beam therapy. I have been blessed to work on this new project. So check back soon! Cheers!

Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Options

2009-12-16T00:02:00.012-05:00

My PSA doubled from 2.9 in 8 months to 5.8 in 2007. Family doctor thought I should see an Urologist. No symptoms just getting up a couple of times at night in the last year. Besides my father didn't have prostate cancer until age 71 (successfully treated with seeds to date). I figured I had 20 more years not to worry.

Well the Urologist performed a digital on my prostate said it felt normal but slightly enlarged. He decided to test my PSA again but it shouldn't be anything to worry about. My PSA came back at over 5.0 so he decided to schedule a biopsy. They did the ultrasound and cored 12 samples out of me. The anxiety of the procedure was worse than the actual biopsy. No sweat! They said the ultrasound looked just like any 53-year-old prostate and looked normal from that point. I left the office feeling a little sore but somewhat relieved.

They called my wife the next day and said I had cancer and to see the Urologist the next day. It was a tough day for me, needless to say, thinking I was home free for now. It appears that my diagnosis says I have 3 tumors (2 on one side the other one on the other side) at a score of Gleason 6 and T1C scale. I have some perineural invasion. Doctor said it is lucky we found it at the early stage (this is luck!) Of course as an Urologist and surgeon he wants to do a radical prostatectomy in the next few months. Whoa! This is a quality of life decision. This procedure is well documented on this site from others experiences. The urologist indicated for me this would have some incontinence (leakage) for a while, possible bowel function complications and 50-80% erectile dysfunction. No heavy lifting for a few months. This whole diaper, pads and loss of functions shook me. I have never been really sick or operated on in my life so this is new territory. He suggested this because of my age for a cure and longer life!

Well I have done quite a bit of research and talked to many who went through this. What a hurricane of information to digest! Radical prostatectomy is out, in my mind. Most appear to have varying degree of problems for years. Other men's stories, books and groups have helped me decide. It appears I have many options. I started to investigate "Cyberknife" but its still photons or x-rays and that has its issues. Seed Brachytherapy have complications. IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy) or IGRT (Image Guided Radiation Therapy) looks good, ADT (Androgen Deprivation Therapy) is out, and Cryotherapy or HIFU (high intensity focused ultrasound) is also out for me. Watchful waiting may eventually kill me at a younger age. Besides I have been a vegetarian (no meats and very little dairy) for over 13 years, don't smoke (quit years ago) and exercise daily. Plus I have been taking supplements like selenium, flaxseed oil, sawgrass palmetto and others to ward of cancer for years. Didn't seem to help in my case.

I checked other oncologists locally (MD Anderson- a Houston based network - has a branch here and they are number one for cancer treatment in the US) and interviewed with the Dattoli center in Sarasota Fl. Dr Dattoli is a pioneer in prostate cancer treatment including Brachytherapy, IMRT, and IGRT and has a world wide following with 1000's of successes. He took the time out to interview me on the phone for an hour and half. Impressive operation.

My research is leaning towards proton treatment based on effects, success, experience, quality of life and other reports including "Proton Therapy for Prostate Cancer: The Initial Loma Linda University Experience" clinical investigation. Every center I visited compared their standards to Loma Linda. Recent Newswire indicated that "Loma Linda has enjoyed more success than all other comparable competitors systems, with higher throughput, the most patients treated, and the most types of diseases treated with the most reliable and efficient device on the market." There must be something to it. You can read more stories about it at Proton Bob or see the procedures. Until recently you could only get this treatment in Loma Linda University in California or Boston John Hopkins. Proton therapy is now available in other centers in the US and around the world (including the new NCC in Korea). Investments of 130 million dollars to build a proton center are daunting though. This will change with the new proton lite operations (recent PRNEWS Wire) that will be built for less money and made available to more patients. There are many scheduled (11) to build around the US over the next few years. FDA and Medicare approve it and so does many insurance companies.

I will keep you posted on the progress. I am scheduled February 5, 2008 for my first consultation at Loma Linda. Treatment will start shortly thereafter. Also Good news my insurance has pre-approved the procedure. Take care and bless all of you during this heartrending future.

UPDATED

February 2009

I was accepted during my consultation date on February 5th 2008. My body pod was created during this visit. I had a lot of anticipation on the balloon that would be inserted in my rectum during this process as well as drinking and holding 20 ounces of water. This is necessary to protect the colon and bladder during your radiation treatments. Well the anticipation was worse than the procedure of the balloon insertion. Actually I was quite comfortable laying in my pod with a blanket wrapped about me. This was actually a dress rehearsal for the real upcoming treatments. I started treatment February 25th; I could have started earlier but had to get some affairs in order. My insurance carrier preapproved the treatment while I applied at Loma Linda. Only out of pocket expenses were my deductible and housing while there.

I had a small amount of bladder urgency during treatment. I took Advil to handle this. I was able to walk 4 -5 miles a day and work out and swim at the center. I even went on a few trips one to Phoenix that was over 5 hours and was able to manage the side effects.

I can not praise the Loma Linda Medical University enough for the wonderful human and compassionate care I received there. It may sound odd but the Loma Linda experience is a highlight in my life. I do miss the comrade of the time spent at Loma Linda. I made great lifetime friends (and one was from Australia) and the forums and meetings that they encourage to participate in make it very unique.

I finished up 45 Proton radiation treatments May 5 2008. I can say it was a breeze and I have a normal healthy life. Since being home I am back to my normal schedule of work and activities. The urgency is gone and as a matter of fact night time urination is back to once a night or none. Everything works just fine. My PSA has since dropped from 5.3 to 1.4. I have another PSA test in March 2009. Most men in my group are reporting similar results.

The time away from home was just a small inconvenience to pay for what I see in side effects. I am so happy to still have a normal life. I had grave concerns for the treatments and the time away from home but my spouse and I managed it quite well. I have friends and relatives who had other treatments and they are still dealing with side effects years later. Not for me

As far as I am concerned Proton therapy is the treatment for prostate cancer.

Good luck to all in your journey and take care. I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

For more information on proton patient therapy here is a recent clinical/brief study Conformal proton beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer: concepts and clinical results completed at Loma Linda by Dr. Carl Rossi.

UPDATED

May 2009

Well it’s been a year since my last and 45th proton radiation treatment and I’m feeling great. I continue to have a normal life with no side effects. I am very active in my work and exercise regularly.

I have no night time urination and everything else works just fine. And now I have a new PSA test result to report. It is now at 0.8. I am very happy.

I will get another PSA test in 6 months and will advice.

Proton therapy and life is good!

Here is quick update (12/16/2009) on my latest PSA last month. It came in at 0.8 which is no change from the last test. A quick call to Loma Linda and the staff indicated this was great news. They said this may be my PSA-nadir. You can read more about it here. For what I read A man is never cured of PCa. However a cure can be defined as being diseased free for 10 years. So if it stays at .8 I'm happy. I continue to have excellent health and enjoying life. Cheers!