Here’s an interesting article about a prostate cancer patient and how he dealt with his treatment options within the UK. Link to article is HERE. Without any options to obtain proton treatment inside his own country, he turned to a treatment center on the European continent – over in Prague, Czech Republic.
Jim Tuggey here on February 28th 2014. When you look at the spread of Proton facilities in our country and recognize the growing company of other Proton Centers that exist in other countries, it really weakens the case for the “Naysayers”. I have no cancer in my “prostate” and can round up quite a list of men who have had the same success with the “Proton”. That does not even take into account the other successes using Protons that are not Prostate issues but a much wider scope of challenges that have been met for men and women! My colleagues and I delight in the fact that Loma Linda met the challenge when so many expressed doubt. I think I counted nineteen Proton centers in our country and more to come.
We posted a note about three years ago about the exciting news that the Mayo Clinic had decided to embrace Proton treatment and was building two new facilities. This is just a short note on progress with their buildings.
As a reminder, the Mayo Clinic is building two facilities.
The first facility is being built in Rochester, Minnesota and the ground breaking took place on Sept 15, 2011. They are expecting to be treating patients some time in mid to late 2015. Below are some renderings of what the facility will look like:
The second facility is being built in Phoenix, Arizona and the ground breaking took place on Dec 13, 2011. They are expecting to be receiving patients some time in early 2016. Below are some renderings of what the facility will look like:
Here is an overview of the schedule for these two facilities as projected in January, 2014:
One UK Surgeon says: “Proton beam will be the universal treatment of choice for prostate cancer in ten-year’s time”. [BOB tales for October 2013]
Despite regular attacks, Bob Marckini notes that “we represent about two-thirds of the men alive who have had proton therapy for their prostate cancer.”
Well, November again and I’m personally happy to be here in the USA and know that the “Proton” was the answer for me in 1999.
I count thirteen Proton centers in the latest BOB report. You may be surprised at locations for some of them i.e.:
Great to have smart people join the Proton team.
Bob Marckini revealed that the Dutch Government plans to build FOUR Proton Therapy Centers in the Netherlands. They report that the essence of the use of Protons will be where they have proven effective and that includes, head-and-neck, breast, lung, and prostate tumors. To me it appears that the Dutch are aware of value where it is evident, and they are moving to save some lives and improve the methods to achieve this goal.
And – Ohio plans to build a Proton Center in Dayton, as well as one in Miami Township.
Be sure to find a copy of Bob Tales (a monthly newletter) that will help you understand how important the “Proton” is today and will be in the future.
My friend Bob Marckini knows what he is publishing in his “BOB Tales” and believe me you need to know that my comments above were generated directly from the research and follow-up by the Marckini, Bob and Deb team.
In 1958 I was fortunate to command a Helicopter Company in Fort Sill, Oklahoma that taught me to always try to find an answer that is truthfull and will help others.
Thank you for reading. Keep looking at the many “Videos” on this site – I always learn a lot from them.
Today in Dallas, Texas comes news of a proposal to build a Dallas Proton Treatment Center that is estimated to provide proton treatment to 2,000 patients annually.
This will be a long overdue gain for Dallas and treatments would be slated to begin in 2016 when the facility is completed.
I often forget that my Prostate was a “Cancer” problem and that the Loma Linda Proton treatment facility’s capabilities in Loma Linda California was the answer in 1999.
For over fourteen years since my Proton Treatment I have held a PSA of 0.1, down from my PSA of 15.9 in 1999 before my proton treatment started. This week I had a final check with my Urologist in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and he sent me on my way after a final visit. Always makes an eighty-three year old happy.
You can read about this Dallas Proton facility in today’s Section B of the Dallas Morning News, September 3, 2013. Scott Goldstein, staff writer.
Aside from proton center development, the usual debates are going on that try to denigrate the value of “Proton Therapy”. The over 50 men that I have personally sponsored since early 2000 are happy with their treatment and it is amazing that Loma Linda has been successful with Protons in over 6,000 men.
Thank you for reading. Keep looking at the many “Videos” on this site – I always learn a lot from them.
The older I get, the faster time whizzes by. I often forget that my Prostate was a “Cancer” problem and that Loma Linda Proton treatment was the answer in 1999.
Since then I have managed to pass a test with M D Anderson Cancer Center for “Cancer of the Tongue”. This experience began in April 2011 and while I finished Radiation and Chemo in May 2011, the beat goes on as the experts at MD Anderson look forward to a five year success story. In fact I will be at their site on July 31st, 2013 for a follow-up.
I visited my Texas Urologist last week and he told me that everything was fine and sent me on my way after a routine visit.
Meanwhile, I continue to hear stories like this one:
“A co-worker of mine in Atlanta relayed this story, which is a stark reminder of how stuck in the mud some doctors are on the topic of Protons. After being diagnosed with Prostate Cancer, my co-worker started working on a treatment plan with his Urologist. After learning and researching information about Proton Therapy, my co-worker raised this as an option with his doctor. His doctor became very flustered and questioned his patient’s faith in him. A few minutes later the doctor “fired” my co-worker as a patient, and said he was no longer willing to work with him on his treatment plan. Incredible.”
I can’t wait to hear about Protons and the impact they will have as more “Proton” facilities are built in the USA and their utilization increases. Amazing that a thirty minute drive from my home will take me to a new Proton facility soon.
Dallas is constructing a Proton Facility.
Thank you for reading. Keep looking at the many “Videos” on this site – I always learn a lot from them.
In 2006 when Bob Marckini published his book, You Can Beat Prostate Cancer, and You Don’t Need Surgery to Do It, I said:
I found Loma Linda and Proton treatment by “Blind Luck”. Bob removes the blinders and offers sound advice for those who hear the dreaded “cancer” word.
After treatment in 1999, I decided to tell anyone who would listen about both my experience and the experiences of others I met who were treated with “Protons”. I also sought where possible provide responses from others who chose “Protons”.
Bob Marckini deserves the highest accolades for his dedication to providing advice and his continuing research to verify any responses he provides. I suggest you read his book now!
So at 83 I can say that my experience has been amazing and successful. And as 84 approaches, I expect to continue looking at the number of “Proton” facilities that have been built in the US and in other countries and read their reports when possible.
I regret the recent loss of “Ken Venturi” as a friend, and miss his advice both as a professional golfer and Proton advocate.
Thank you for reading. Take a look at the many “Videos” on this site – I always learn a lot from them.
Studies too numerous to count continue the “drum beat” regarding the “Proton”.
It really is too bad that salesmanship by a sharp salesperson can defeat many accurate findings for medical success to the detriment of those who may have vital need for the treatment. My friends and I who have really been cured by using the “Proton” feel like we have not explained our experience adequately.
I thought mine was very simple:
This accident that brought me in touch with a Graduate from college in California who said: “Get the doctors at Loma Linda to treat you with ‘Protons’, that’s the answer!” He told me that he graduated there and believed that the Proton would do the job.
So in August 1999 my Proton treatment was over and my PSA since that time has remained at 0.1. I deem this fact to be significant given the painless and professional capability at the Loma Linda Proton Center.
I do wonder how the John’s Hopkins folks will respond when their new Proton center becomes reality and the current IMRT really gets compared with the Proton in their own Medical Center.
In the meantime my Texas Drivers License expires in 2019 and I suppose that at eighty-nine years old I may not be too worried about how medical issues are resolved.
For now, all I can say is “I liked it!” 12 plus years later!
