SOMERSET, N.J., Sept. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As we mark
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in September, one Pennsylvania man's story illustrates why
patients are choosing proton therapy as an alternative to standard
radiation treatment.
David Hoch, a 61-year-old IT
professional from SE Pennsylvania,
was diagnosed with prostate cancer in early 2020. Tests indicated
that the cancer was starting to metastasize to other areas of his
body.
While his oncologists recommended traditional radiation therapy,
Hoch began researching proton therapy because it protected
surrounding healthy tissue, which he said was critical for
long-term quality of life.
His wife, Carmen, heard about proton therapy in an online
Facebook group. That is also where the Hochs discovered ProCure
Proton Therapy Center in Somerset,
NJ, a treatment facility just a few hours from their home in
Pa.
For David Hoch, a musician and
mountain biker, it was important to stay active – even during
cancer treatments. Proton therapy at ProCure helped him meet that
goal, and he said he believes he is now on a path for a long and
healthy life.
Physicians at ProCure use precisely targeted pencil beam
radiation treatments as an alternative to standard radiation.
Pencil Beam Scanning (PBS) is a revolutionary technology that
boosts accuracy with its ultra-narrow proton radiation beam.
Pencil Beam Scanning effectively "paints" the tumor with
radiation in three dimensions by moving a proton beam of
pencil-point sharpness back and forth across each layer of the
tumor. This extreme precision allows the radiation dose to conform
to the specific shape and size of the tumor, making it ideal for
irregularly shaped tumors located near critical organs and tissues.
By delivering radiation directly into the tumor and sparing nearby
healthy tissue, proton therapy minimizes side effects.
"The staff at ProCure was very professional, knowledgeable, and
caring during my sessions, delivering both radiation treatments and
nutritional counseling," Hoch said. "Scans after treatments have
shown that the metastasized sites are no longer visible. I now feel
that I am on a healthier recovery path thanks to ProCure."
Approved by the FDA in the late 1980s, proton therapy has been
an under-utilized treatment during much of its history. But since
2015, the number of proton therapy centers in the U.S. has
increased to nearly 40, with ProCure being the 10th Center to open
in 2012.
"An increasing number of clinical studies have continued to
confirm proton therapy as a safe and effective treatment for many
types of cancer," said Brian H.
Chon, M.D., medical director at ProCure Proton Therapy
Center. "In fact, the amount of research being conducted on proton
therapy is rapidly increasing as more centers open around the U.S.
and more patient experiences become available."
About ProCure:
ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Somerset, NJ, opened in March 2012 as the tri-state region's first proton
therapy facility, treating a range of cancers including disease of
the prostate, breast, lung, brain, head and neck, and
gastrointestinal system, as well as sarcomas and many pediatric
cases. Using the most advanced radiation treatment available
ProCure has treated more than 5,000 patients and enables many
cancer patients to choose a non-surgical treatment personalized to
their medical needs and lifestyles, often with fewer side effects
and less downtime—giving them more freedom to enjoy what matters
most in their lives. For more information, visit
ProCure.com.
Media Contact:
Sarah Ferrington, Marketing
Manager
Phone: 732-357-2609
Email: sarah.ferrington@procure.com
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SOURCE ProCure Proton Therapy Center