HAMPTON, Va. — This content is sponsored by Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute (HUPTI).
One of the many scary aspects of a cancer diagnosis are the treatment options. Most adults know someone who has gone through chemotherapy, invasive surgery or radiation treatments. Those treatments can be arduous, and they take a toll on patients and their families.
Proton therapy is a revolutionary cancer treatment alternative that spares patients from the worst aspects of those traditional cancer treatments.
African American Men Lead the World in Prostate Cancer Incidences
One out of every six African American men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime. They are 1.8 times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and 2.2 times more likely to die from it than white men.
Kevin Holmes received proton therapy prostate cancer treatments at Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute (HUPTI) after being diagnosed at the age of 54. Holmes, who is from Washington DC, drove about two and a half hours just to receive treatment at HUPTI after receiving a consultation with Dr. Allan Thornton.
“I believed so strongly in Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute that I passed on two treatment centers minutes from my home to go there. I received the very best care! The HUPTI staff became my Hampton Roads family while I was away from my own.
My quality of life never changed, and I was routinely active – morning to night. The only physical issue was sun burning on my hips, which should soon fade. I can now let others know cancer is NOT a death sentence.”
- Kevin Holmes
One of the other benefits of proton therapy was the ease and speed of each session. “The treatment was much easier than I could have ever possibly imagined. It was as simple as getting an X-ray,” said Holmes. “I was in and out within 30 minutes of when I pulled into the parking lot and when I left.”
Why Does Proton Therapy Offer an Easier Treatment Experience?
Many of the negative side effects frequently associated with traditional cancer treatments stem from an inability to narrowly target a tumor and cancerous cells.
Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment that effects the whole body. Traditional radiation therapy is more targeted but still effects a significant amount of healthy tissue surrounding a tumor. Even surgery involves cutting away healthy tissue around a tumor to ensure the entirety of the cancer is removed.
Proton therapy is a much more targeted version of radiation therapy. Oncologists can use specific frequencies to narrowly direct a radiation beam into a tumor, increasing the strength of the treatment and sparing a larger portion of healthy cells around the tumor.
A secondary benefit of more accurately targeted radiation is the decreased risk of secondary malignancies developing as a result of radiation exposure. The reduced risk to healthy tissue also allows physicians to increase the radiation strength per session, resulting in the need for fewer procedures to deliver the same level of radiation treatment.
As a result, patients experience fewer side effects and suffer significantly less discomfort during and after the procedure. Some patients may experience minor skin irritation or hair loss at the treatment site, which is a small price to pay when compared to the side effects of other cancer treatment methods.
Proton therapy is not an all-day experience. Proton therapy sessions take minutes, not hours, and most patients are able to return to work or their daily routine immediately following their procedure.
Proton Therapy Can Treat Many Types of Cancer
The cancer treatment specialists at HUPTI can use proton therapy to treat:
- Prostate Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Brain and Spine Cancers
- Head and Neck Cancers
- Lung Cancer
- Gastrointestinal Cancers
- Ocular Cancer
- Pediatric Cancer
HUPTI is the brainchild of Hampton University President Dr. William R. Harvey. The facility’s team has treated more than 3,500 patients to date, and they’re ready to consult with you.
If you or a loved one has recently received a cancer diagnosis and you are looking for less invasive and disruptive options, talk to the Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute. Find out if you might be a candidate for proton therapy.