Prostate cancer is a difficult diagnosis for a man, as it strikes at the very heart of what makes them men: their genitalia. Male genitalia is eternally rooted in masculinity as the ability to have sex, with women or men, is prized among the masculine cultures that so dominate Western societies.
Prostate cancer, fortunately, is not as serious as other forms of cancer. The mortality rate is significantly lower than that of breast cancer and brain cancer and generally the worst outcome of prostate cancer is having to cut out the prostrate, meaning a person will unlikely have full intercourse again.
There are many statistics about prostrate cancer worth noting but most of all it is important to note that there are solutions to the cancer, including one that has come about in recent years due to advances in medical science and advances in medical imaging and diagnosis and technology. It is called proton therapy.
Proton therapy can be seen as a form of radiation therapy. The difference is that protons are more targeted than general radiation therapy and can hit points without damaging other points, which makes it essential for treating cancer forms that are near delicate parts of the body, such as the prostate or the brain.
There are statistics surrounding prostate cancer and about proton therapy. They are listed in the section below.
- Proton therapy is a type of radiation that stops at a very specific point in the targeted tissue; conventional radiation continues beyond the tumor. In breast cancer, this means on average no radiation to the heart and on average 50% less radiation to the lung as compared with conventional radiation.
- Researchers report that 99 percent, 94 percent and 74 percent of men treated with proton therapy with low-, intermediate-, and high-risk prostate cancer, respectively, have no signs of cancer recurrence after five years of follow-up.
- Due to proton therapy?s targeted approach, studies have found that prostate cancer patients treated using this method have a significantly reduced risk of impotence, with 94% of men reporting that they remain sexually active after treatment.
- A treatment session generally takes 15 to 45 minutes, however the actual time spent delivering the protons to the tumor is generally only about a minute or two.
- At the beginning of 2015, more than 30 particle therapy centers, with a total of about 80 treatment rooms, were under construction worldwide.
- Approximately 23,800 adults and 4,830 children are diagnosed with cancerous tumors of the brain and spinal cord each year, with brain tumors making up the majority of that number.
There are some general statistics surrounding health problems in men as well as health habits of men that are worth noting as well. Some of these health issues cause complications or at least can be analyzed along with prostate cancer and proton therapy in conjunction with each other.
- About 18% of men over the age of 18 have had five or more drinks in one day at least once in the past year.
- According to the CDC, 34.5% of men (20 years and older) are obese and 32.6% have high blood pressure or are taking prescriptions for hypertension.
There are some terms associated with prostate cancer and proton therapy. They include proton treatment, proton therapy for cancer, proton therapy for prostate cancer, proton therapy for head and neck cancer, radiation treatment for cancer, treating prostate cancer, treatment options of prostate cancer and more.
Cancer proton therapy is a possible option for those seeking cancer treatment using protons, always in accordance with a doctor’s guidance. Cancer proton therapy is an important tool for targeting certain cancerous cell regions. Cancer proton therapy has good success, according to the statistics above. Cancer proton therapy can help.
For someone who is suffering from prostate cancer, the most important tool is to seek out advice from different health professionals. One may offer a different path compared to others, which would bring a new option into play. Weighing all the different options is an important part of the process of being diagnosed with cancer.
For someone looking to get proton therapy, there are options available to find treatment in the United States. There are rooms available and centers available that can possibly furnish treatment for an individual who has been diagnosed with cancer. It is always important to talk to a doctor.