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Proton Therapy: An Effective Treatment for Prostate Cancer

August 8, 2024

The New York Proton Center is proud to be a sponsor of the 2024 ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk in New York City – a crucial funding source for prostate cancer awareness, research, and patient support. Over the past fifteen years, ZERO has raised more than $32 million, and more than 170,000 runners and walkers have participated in events to provide support to more than 200,000 men across the country who have experienced prostate cancer. We have been proud to participate in this event for four years, and to raise awareness of proton therapy for prostate cancer.

An important treatment option for prostate cancer is 5-fraction SBRT (stereotactic body radiation therapy) proton therapy. Approximately one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, and as technology and medicine have advanced, 5-fraction SBRT proton therapy has emerged as an effective treatment option offering ultra-precise radiation therapy that safely delivers a higher dose of radiation per session over just five days, with sessions every other day. 

Compared to more invasive, longer treatments, 5-fraction SBRT proton therapy offers exceptional precision by using pencil beam scanning technology and sending protons directly to the tumor site, sparing surrounding healthy tissues and protecting vital organs. The efficacy of 5-fraction SBRT is comparable to the standard prolonged course of proton therapy, giving patients optimal care without a lengthy treatment schedule. Because of the precision of the radiation as well as the shortened treatment period, patients can complete therapy more efficiently and experience milder or even no side effects. 

While many cancer centers offer photon-based SBRT like CyberKnife, and many proton centers routinely treat prostate cancer, only a handful of centers in the world, including NYPC, offer both the 5-fraction course with the ultra-precision of proton therapy. The use of 5-fraction proton SBRT is a significant milestone in the field of prostate cancer therapy and helps ensure people have expanded treatment options once they receive a diagnosis. 

With prostate cancer being the most common non-skin malignancy diagnosed in men, it’s critical that men have the information they need to stay healthy and get the treatment that works best for them. Learn more by visiting us at the Run/Walk on September 7 at our information table and inside the Messages of Hope & Remembrance Tent. We also encourage you to read about the benefits of proton therapy for prostate cancer.

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