Prostate Cancer in Perspective
Second Leading Cause of Cancer Death in American Men
Prostate cancer is a disease of the male reproductive system and the most common malignancy in American men. 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, 240,890 men will be diagnosed,
and the rate is increasing by 10% per year.
Prostate Cancer Treatment Option: Proton Therapy
Non-invasive, Minimal Side Effects, Excellent Cure Rates
Proton
therapy (or proton treatment) for prostate cancer is gaining in popularity due to its demonstrated excellent cure rates, lack of
risk or discomfort during treatment, and minimal side effects. Unlike other types of radiation therapy that use x-rays to destroy cancer cells, proton therapy uses a beam of proton particles. By using protons, doctors can direct the radiation to the tumor with pinpoint accuracy. This means less damage to surrounding healthy organs and tissue, and the ability to deliver a higher dose of radiation to the tumor.
Interested in speaking directly with proton patients about their treatment experience, side effects and results? Send an email to dhickey@protonbob.com.
Proton therapy has been practiced at the first hospital-based proton treatment center in the nation, Loma Linda University Medical Center (LLUMC) in Loma Linda, California for more than 20 years.
Additionally, the following proton centers have been established in the U.S.:
- Francis H. Burr Proton Center at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts
- IU Health Proton Therapy Center (formerly known as Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Center in Bloomington, Indiana
- MD Anderson Proton Cancer Center in Houston, Texas
- University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute in Jacksonville, Florida
- ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Roberts Proton Therapy Center at University of Pennsylvania Health System in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute in Hampton, Virginia
- CDH Proton Therapy Center in Warrenville, Illinois
- ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Somerset, New Jersey/Metro New York
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
A Community of 6,000 Men (and their families) for Proton Therapy
The Brotherhood of the Balloon (BOB) is an organization consisting of thousands of 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 therapy patients, many of whom
are physicians, scientists, and other highly educated, analytical men who thoroughly researched their
options before making a treatment decision.
Click here to contact us now.
Click here if you would like to learn more about proton therapy and the Brotherhood of the Balloon.
If you have signed on to receive proton therapy or are currently a proton therapy patient, click here to join our group.
