Proton Beam Therapy Video. The bottom video is of IMRT.

This video will answer most questions that you may have about Proton Beam Therapy. Although I was treated at Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute in Bloomington, Indiana, MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas is another one of the five centers currently offering Proton Beam Therapy. Forty four different types of cancer are treated with proton beam and it is especially useful when treating cancerous tumors in critical areas of the body where other organs or tissues could be damaged by other treatments. Proton beam is particularly useful when treating head and neck tumors where precision is critical.

Have a good weekend.
Blessings,
Rick

Jingle Bells never sounded like this before. What fortitude. Enjoy.

Check this National Public Radio interview out with Dr. William Hanson about new technologies in medicine. About 8 minutes into the interview he talks about Proton Beam Therapy. Just click on the Listen Now icon and you can listen to this very informative interview.

Have a good Thursday.

Blessings,
Rick

Stereotactic Transperineal Prostate Biopsy

Prostate Cancer Discovered in 40 Percent of Men Who Test Negative

A new study reveals that a standard office biopsy isn't enough to properly detect prostate cancer. In fact, 40 percent of men with prostate cancer may not even know they have it, according to this research study by the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Chicago. Researchers used an advanced biopsy technique called stereotactic transperineal prostate biopsy (STPB) on patients with persistent elevated PSA levels who previously had at least one negative office biopsy. Performed as an outpatient procedure, STPB allows more comprehensive sampling, compared to the transrectal method, which takes fewer samples through the rectum.
"Men who have negative transrectal biopsies and continue to have elevated PSA levels should consider STPB because 40 percent will harbor malignancy," says Michelle Braccioforte, director of research and education for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Chicago. "Our level of confidence is greatly enhanced with regards to the presence or absence of cancer, and more specifically, the exact location of the cancer within the prostate."

We'll have to watch this study.

Have a good Wednesday.
Blessings,
Rick

"Gold Standards Aren't Always Golden"

I'm sure we've all heard lately about Bernard Madoff, the ex-Wall street heavyweight who was arrested last Thursday for bilking billions of dollars from investors. He became such an icon because he delivered on the promises he made to make a huge return on investment for those who put their trust in him. Unfortunately what he promised came crashing down by the recent financial breakdown. He was in some circles, the "gold standard" of investing. People just invested with him because of who he was. He promised what he said.

The story brought to mind the "gold standard" of prostate cancer treatment, Radical Prostatectomy. It has been the trusted one for many years and as other comparable treatment options have come on the scene, it has remained the "gold standard" mainly because people have willing put their trust in it without doing due diligence.

Like the investors in the Madoff pyramid scheme, we should always do our due diligence when trying to reach a decision on anything. Especially when it pertains to our health.

Have a good Tuesday.
Blessings,
Rick