Prostate Cancer in Perspective
Prostate cancer is a disease of the male reproductive system. Typically, adenocarcinoma develops in the
prostate, which is a gland about the size of a walnut, located just below the bladder. Over time, prostate
cancer can spread beyond the gland and eventually metastasize to other parts of the body. Prostate cancer
is the second leading cause of cancer death for men in the U.S. This year, 230,000 men will be diagnosed,
and the rate is increasing by 10% per year.
Prostate Cancer Treatment Option: Proton Therapy
Several prostate cancer treatment options are available. One relatively unknown treatment, called Proton
Therapy (Proton Treatment) is gaining in popularity due to its demonstrated excellent cure rates, lack of
risk or discomfort during treatment, and minimal side effects.
Proton therapy has been practiced at Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda, CA for 17 years.
Additional proton centers have been established at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Midwest
Proton Radiotherapy Institute in Indiana, MD Anderson in Texas and University of Florida Proton Therapy
Institute in Jacksonville. Proton therapy is also practiced in Europe and Asia. And at least 16 new
hospital-based proton treatment centers are in the design, construction or planning stage around the
world. Proton therapy is an exciting prostate cancer treatment technology whose time has come.
The Brotherhood of the Balloon
The Brotherhood of the Balloon (BOB) is an organization consisting of more than 3,000 men who have chosen
Proton therapy for their prostate cancer treatment. We provide communication, education and support; we
promote proton therapy for prostate cancer; and we give back to the institution that both saved our lives
and preserved the quality of our lives.
If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and want to learn more about proton therapy, read some of
our proton patient testimonials. You will find 130 stories written by former proton patients, many of whom
are physicians, scientists, and other highly educated, analytical men who thoroughly researched their
options before making a treatment decision.
If you would like to learn more about proton therapy or communicate with men who have received Proton
treatment, contact us.
Bob Marckini (Founder)
