Posted by Jim Tuggey on May 5th, 2012 — Posted in General
“Men should be cautious about drawing conclusions from a single observational study which has not been peer-reviewed.”
The excerpt above from a distinguished Doctor who evidently has ignored the over 20 years experience at Loma Linda’s Proton facility and the fact that they have treated over 16,000 patients (over 10,000 Prostate cancer patients since the early “90s”) for all forms of cancer and benign conditions.
It may be interesting to understand that the Loma Linda Proton Center experts take on all kinds of tumors both cancerous and benign. They in fact have taken on some cancer challenges that others would not attempt due to their lack of experience in using the full effectiveness of the Proton.
However, let me repeat, I have NO side effects and I was treated in July 1999. Let’s see, that would be almost 13 years ago!
Let’s make it clear, I do not take a penny from anyone to support this BLOG. I receive wonderful and expert advice from a professional in operating the web site and do not pay him either. So try to ignore the continued marketing of mis-information about the Proton by IMRT proponents and other competition “who consider proton therapy a fad and discount it.”
Protons are here to stay
Posted by jrolls on May 2nd, 2012 — Posted in Video
You may have heard that Proton Therapy is still in its experimental stages – or maybe that your insurance company would deny coverage for that reason. Review this short 90 second video that addresses these questions. Courtesy of the folks at Procure in Oklahoma.
Posted by jrolls on April 15th, 2012 — Posted in General, Video
Below is a very well done video from the folks at ProCure that seeks to discuss the various common methods used to treat prostate cancer, and compares them to how Protons are used for treatment. The animations are helpful in understanding what the differences in the approaches are.
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Posted by Jim Tuggey on March 16th, 2012 — Posted in General
Last week a gentleman asked; “How difficult is it to get referred to a Proton Therapy Center and what is the typical waiting time to be accepted.”
I wrote an immediate answer “Should not be a problem – in 1999 I referred myself to the Loma Linda Medical Center, Proton facility.
I also discovered that the e-mail address used by the sender does not work’ (Need some help “Don”.) Where do you live? Did you look at the available Proton Sites on my web site www.prostateblog.com?
ProCure in Oklahoma City and other ProCure sites do Proton therapy ie; Hampton is purely a proton center, and so is the MD Anderson proton facility, Indiana University Proton Center, and Univ. of Florida.
Regarding cost, I think Loma Linda is probably the least expensive for out of pocket pay. I have no idea about the current cost for treatment at the other dedicated Proton centers.
Depending on where you live the waiting time should be minimal.
In my opinion, we have a serious challenge from the Proton antagonists. They seem to ignore the well known facts about the Proton since many of them do not have access to the Proton Therapy equipment.
I do realize that some of this diatribe is pure protectionism for the techniques and treatment capability that this or that cancer facility has available.
However, let me repeat, I have NO side effects and I was treated from July to August 1999. Let’s see, that would be now in 2012 – almost 13 years.
Robert Marckini who sends us our monthly BOB Tales, points out the continued marketing of mis-information about the Proton by competition “who consider proton therapy a fad and discount it.”
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Posted by Jim Tuggey on January 23rd, 2012 — Posted in General
Amazing that I am here in 2012 and am totally free of prostate cancer.
It is in the best interest of all of men with prostate cancer and other cancers and all women who fit in other categories with their cancer, to find friends in the financial community who believe in “protons” and have the power to insure that more people have the opportunity to use what Protons have to offer.
The debates about “Protons” and their efficacy are clearly lopsided and some of the result is that people who could benefit from Proton Therapy are denied the opportunity.
Shameful conduct in my opinion as the thrust should be to “Find a way” even if it is longer term financing of the treatments by operators of Proton Therapy facilities.
I’ll be 82 next month, and could not be happier with the “by chance meeting with a Doctor who knew about Protons.”
So here we are! I have seen the birth of new grandchildren since I was treated at Loma Linda Medical Center’s Proton facility and I’m enjoying a marriage with a lady who just celebrated fifty-seven years of marriage with me. We love being alive and in my case meeting up with the Proton was marvelous.
Many of us who have had Proton treatment believe that as the new facilities come on-line the price could be adjusted by economic competition. If we can do this the door will open for men and women everywhere who should be able to take advantage of this remarkable technology.
Starting in July 1999 with a PSA of 15.7, on this day, January 22, 2012, my PSA is 0.1, as it has been for over ten years, and I am side effects free.
From my point of view, Protons are the first choice due to the reduced radiation inherent in the Proton application.
Posted by Jim Tuggey on December 23rd, 2011 — Posted in General
Bob Marckini let me contribute my thoughts to him regarding treatment for my prostate cancer treatment completed at Loma Linda in August 1999.
His book, “You Can Beat Prostate Cancer – and You Don’t Need Surgery to Do It”, has been a blessing to hundreds of men. If you have been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer please get his book and read it before you make a move to combat your cancer.
Starting in July 1999 with a PSA of 15.7, on this day, Dec. 20th, my PSA is 0.1, as it has been for over ten years, and I am side effects free.
I wish I knew everyone who decided for treatment with the Proton. I sponsor 28 men who were treated at Loma Linda at the moment, and have seen over 50 different sponsored men with all kinds of symptoms. With very few exceptions all seem happy with the results from proton treatment.
Most amazing to me is the growth of acceptance for the proton from the time when I was treated. Then, only two Proton centers treated the Prostate and now the number is growing every time I look at the statistics on Proton capable medical centers.
I was very happy to see the Mayo Clinic with it’s huge reputation for Medical excellence announce the opening of Proton Treatment centers in Wisconsin and Phoenix, Arizona. MD Anderson listed in a recent business magazine as the Top Cancer Treatment Center has a Proton Treatment facility up and running in Houston, Texas.
It is certain that Dr. James Slater at Loma Linda University and Medical Center will be a model for anyone who has a dream and follows though to see a Proton Center built and continually modernized as they reached their 20th Anniversary in 2010.
From my point of view, Protons are the first choice and all doctors in the references, links on the Internet seem to continue to group protons along with radiation in general without recognizing the importance of the reduced radiation inherent in the Proton application.
Jim Tuggey, Dallas-Fort Worth, Tx
Very Happy Proton Fan
Posted by Jim Tuggey on October 26th, 2011 — Posted in General
My annual physical was yesterday, October 25, 2011 over twelve years since I completed my Prostate cancer treatment at Loma Linda in August 1999. My PSA is 0.1, as it has been for over ten years, and I am side effects free.
The most recent Bob Tales (link here), points out the recent and I believe, significant attempt to stop PSA tests and I disagree with those efforts. If you stop and think about it, without the PSA test I would not have known I had Prostate cancer!
John Hopkins this month released an article that seems to support PSA testing and with their power it should have some influence on the folks who want to stop the tests. Two trials excerpts from John Hopkins follow:
“First, the positive trial was a landmark study carried out in seven European countries that studied 162,000 men who were randomized to PSA screening every four years versus no screening.1 With long-term follow up out to fourteen years, there was a 20% decrease in deaths from prostate cancer in the group of men assigned to screening. However, since only 85% of these patients actually underwent screening, if one includes only the men who were actually tested, the decrease in prostate cancer deaths is 27%. This reduction in death from prostate cancer is similar to the 30% reduction in mortality from breast cancer in women who undergo mammography and the 33% reduction in prostate cancer mortality that occurred in the United States between 1994 and 2003 following the introduction of PSA screening. Thus, the results from the European study support other findings and unequivocally demonstrate that PSA testing can save lives.
The second trial, which was carried out in the United States, was half the size of the European trial. It compared screening with PSA every year for six years with no screening thereafter versus no planned screening. It showed no improvement in prostate cancer mortality at 7 years. In the many sound bites on television and reports in print media proclaiming “no effect”, the words “seven years” were conveniently deleted. This is the major flaw in this study. Death from prostate cancer at seven years is meaningless.”
So, it looks like John Hopkins will continue with the PSA and you can find all their comments at the John Hopkins web site.
Posted by jrolls on August 17th, 2011 — Posted in General
Today is twelve years since I completed my Prostate cancer treatment at Loma Linda in 1999. The Prostate is fine, the PSA is below 0.1 and it’s been largely a side effects free journey.
The Loma Linda experience for me was outstanding. I’ve never been treated by such caring people and I stay in touch with them to this date.
In my opinion, it is unfortunate that we only reach a small number of people with cancers treatable with Protons, and I’ve have been encouraged by the Mayo Clinic announcement that they will have two Proton centers in operation soon.
The current status of Proton Treatment centers in the United States is:
- MGH: Francis H. Burr Proton Center at Massachusetts General Hospital. The Proton Beam Unit was founded in 1962 and has the largest experience with stereotactic radiosurgery of any center in the United States. It makes use of the quantum wave properties of protons to reduce “doses to surrounding tissue beyond the target to a theoretical minimum of zero.”
- LLUMC: James M. Slater, M.D. Proton Treatment and Research Center at Loma Linda University and Medical Center, California (0ver 20 years as of Oct 2010).
- MPRI: Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute at Indiana, University.
- UFPTI: The University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute.
- MD Anderson: Anderson Cancer Center’s Proton Center Houston, TX.
- PPTCOK: ProCure Proton Therapy Center Oklahoma City, OK.
- UPENN: The Roberts Proton Therapy Center at University of Pennsylvania Health System.
- HUPTI: Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute. VA.
Others in process:
- NIPTRC: Northern University Proton Therapy and Research Center West Chicago (On Hold)
- CDH: CDH Proton Therapy Center, Warrenville, Illinois (Due to open 19 October at 11AM).
- PPTCNJ: ProCure Proton Therapy Center, New Jersey (Groundbreaking Ceremony took place on 7 April 2010). 40 miles from downtown Manhattan.
- PTCTN: ProCure Proton Therapy Center University of Tennessee Medical Center. (Scheduled to open in 2012/13,)
- SFPC: South Florida Proton Center scheduled to open in 2012.
Posted by jrolls on July 13th, 2011 — Posted in Patient Testimonies
Next week (17th) I return to the Houston Cancer Center MDA, to review my status. I will be there until the 2oth and hope to return home with a bunch of Good news!
I do not wish to visit the radiation machine again, and seem to be slowly getting the hang of how to get better.
I can’t thank all of you who checked up on me and know that I’m better because you did. So here’s a picture of the IMRT machine used in Houston for the treatment that lasted just over five weeks (Weekends not used).
In the meantime, I have been in touch with over 30 men regarding their Proton progress and five others who asked me “What happens”? The reports say that the Proton is still being denied by some and while that is going on many men and some women are happily completing their treatment with protons for a variety of cancers.
I have talked to a lot of people while at MDA and I am amazed at the number I see every day while I am there. The program is well managed and when I go back I will see some friends who are being treated for almost every “cancer” imaginable.
My Prostate is fine, doesn’t even talk to me and seems happy with the treatment I received in 1999 at Loma Linda’s Proton Center. PSA stays at 0.1 at each annual physical in November each year.
So here’s the picture of the equipment in Houston, there is about ten minutes of preparation and then the IMRT radiation treatment lasts from 15 to 30 minutes. I had three Chemo treatments that lasted most of all day, three days and have been here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area since last May 2011.
Click photo to see full size
Posted by jrolls on May 6th, 2011 — Posted in General
Here is a nice newsletter that came out the end of last year from the University of Florida’s Proton Therapy Institute in Jacksonville, Florida. It is sent out to all former patients and updates everyone on progress being made at the center and other relevant news. Nice laid out and presented, I think many will find this interesting. Here is the web link (CLICK HERE) were you can find the PDF format file of the newsletter. Enjoy.
