September Marks Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: A Call for Men to Explore Treatment Options
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
As September rolls in, it's a crucial time to heighten awareness about prostate cancer, a disease that affects one in eight men throughout their lives. The ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Somerset, NJ, is seizing this opportunity to encourage men and their families to educate themselves about their treatment choices, particularly regarding proton therapy—a modern, FDA-approved option that promises both precision and fewer side effects.
Dr. Brian Chon, the Medical Director at ProCure, emphasizes the importance of awareness, stating, "Many patients are unaware of the treatment options available to them." Proton therapy stands out as a remarkable method for targeting prostate cancer, allowing for precise attacks on cancer cells while protecting the surrounding healthy tissue. This approach helps to lower the risk of side effects significantly, ultimately assisting men in maintaining a high quality of life during and after treatment.
The significant advantage of proton therapy over conventional radiation is its ability to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure to critical nearby organs such as the bladder and bowels by an astonishing 60-70%. Patients benefit from the confidence that accompanies this precision, which directly translates into fewer long-term complications following treatment.
In fact, despite being often misunderstood as experimental, proton therapy has been a recognized treatment since being FDA-approved in 1988. Numerous peer-reviewed studies consistently affirm its effectiveness, showcasing excellent survival rates and minimal side effects. ProCure's center in Somerset is well-positioned to cater to residents from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, providing a vital service to countless men and their families. To ease the financial burden often associated with cancer treatment, ProCure collaborates with various insurance providers and offers guidance for patients to navigate their care effectively.
During this month, ProCure encourages all men to take charge of their health (1) initiate conversations with their healthcare providers, (2) familiarize themselves with their treatment options, and (3) strongly consider whether proton therapy may be the right choice for them.
The ProCure Proton Therapy Center, established in March 2012, remains the first facility of its kind in the tri-state area. It has since treated a diverse range of cancers, including prostate, breast, lung, brain, head and neck cancers, gastrointestinal conditions, sarcomas, and pediatric cases. By deploying cutting-edge radiation treatments tailored to the medical needs of patients, ProCure has successfully treated over 7,400 individuals, with more than 750 of them being children from both the U.S. and abroad. Importantly, many of these patients have been able to select non-surgical treatments that align with their lifestyles and medical requirements, often experiencing fewer side effects and reduced recovery times. This approach preserves the freedom for patients to engage in life's most cherished moments.
For further information on proton therapy and how ProCure can help, individuals can visit the official ProCure website. Let’s make this September a time for informed decisions, heightened awareness, and proactive health management, as nothing is more important than taking command of one’s own health journey.