Comments on: Is High-Tech Cancer Therapy Too Costly?

Proton Beam Radiation Treatment Is At Heart Of Debate Over Rising Health-Care Costs

[pastor_leo]

As a pastor I have talked with other pastors re their experiences with PC. I talked with 4 since I finished my proton radiation treatment in September 07. 3 are having side effects from their treatments--one was suffering from photon radiation damage to his hips 7 years out and could hardly stand to preach; one 3 years out still using pads after surgery; one three months out using pads but tapering off (normal); I talked to another one who had proton radiation 18 months ago--no side effects, great PSA score now. My story is: no side effects from the painless treatments and I actually felt much stronger from the health schedule Loma Linda encouraged. My first PSA 4 mo. out was 0.6, down from 7.2. Before treatment my cancer was a stage 4, Gleason 7 (3+4). Two specialist surgeons said I was a perfect candidate for surgery. But the potential problems caused me to look deeper and the testimonies of proton patients were almost too much to be true. The assistance I received and the interaction with the 160 other prostate cancer patients and their families at Loma Linda Medical University made this the best hospital experience I have ever seen, this includes my 30 years of ministry visits as well. I would encourage CBS to "lick the calf over" on this one. 44 different kinds of cancers are being treated at LLMU with proton beam radiation. This story is huge and for the most part untold. To me this is medical malpractice. LL

[pastor_leo]

As a pastor I have talked with other pastors re their experiences with PC. I talked with 4 since I finished my proton radiation treatment in September 07. 3 are having side effects from their treatments--one was suffering from photon radiation damage to his hips 7 years out and could hardly stand to preach; one 3 years out still using pads after surgery; one three months out using pads but tapering off (normal); I talked to another one who had proton radiation 18 months ago--no side effects, great PSA score now. My story is: no side effects from the painless treatments and I actually felt much stronger from the health schedule Loma Linda encouraged. My first PSA 4 mo. out was 0.6, down from 7.2. Before treatment my cancer was a stage 4, Gleason 7 (3+4). Two specialist surgeons said I was a perfect candidate for surgery. But the potential problems caused me to look deeper and the testimonies of proton patients were almost too much to be true. The assistance I received and the interaction with the 160 other prostate cancer patients and their families at Loma Linda Medical University made this the best hospital experience I have ever seen, this includes my 30 years of ministry visits as well. I would encourage CBS to "lick the calf over" on this one. 44 different kinds of cancers are being treated at LLMU with proton beam radiation. This story is huge and for the most part untold. To me this is medical malpractice. LL

[jlrichgj]

In 2003 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and offered surgery as a cure. Fortunately, I learned about proton beam therapy and decided this was for me. Before I knew if my insurance would pay for the treatment I decided it was stukk the treatment for me even if had to mortgage my house to pay for it myself. Happily for me, my insurance did reimburse for this cost, and I was treated at Loma Linda University Medical Center, so while I certainly had out of pocket costs, they were greatly reduced. I have never regretted that decision. I had virtually no side affects, unlike some other people I know who had other forms of treatment.

The portion of your article which says there is no proof that proton therapy is as good as, or better than, other forms of treatment is just not true. Loma Linda''s ten year study has been published showing that it is every bit as good as anything else. The added benefit is the lack of side affects, so I continue to enjoy a high quality of life.

I also wish the treatment cost less, but it doesn''t. However, being able to be treated without side affects is much more important.

[eicu4321]

What price life?? I just completed my proton treatment in Dec''07 and have never felt better in my life. I didn''t have to worry about colateral damage nor provide 5 pints of blood prior to having surgery never had a catheter or any bladder problem. I have a brother who had the surgery at 69 years of age, he is now 82 and is still wearing diapers. God Bless those that had the foresight to look for a treatment that wouldn''t "kill off" everything else around the cancer.

[twodocs]

My HMO approved out of network treatment of my prostate cancer. I will be forever grateful for that that approval and my successful proton beam radiation therapy treatment. men who chose surgery often find they are both impotent and incontinent after treatment. I have no lasting side effects since I completed the proton beam radiation therapy. "No pain lots of gain" is what I tell people who ask about the results of the treatment I received at Loma Linda Medical Center. My quality of life after treatment for my cancer was my first consideration when I chose the type of treatment.
Dr. Henry M. Grumbling, Sun City West, AZ

[rdchilders]

Proton therapy may initially cost more, but the long term cost, in my opinion, is likely to be less and the lack of side effects is more than worth the initial cost. I had proton therapy for prostate cancer two years ago at Lomam Linda and am doing very well and have had zero side effects. I would recommend it to anyone that is a candidate for this type of treatment.
I believe you would have come to the same conclusion it your study had been more in depth.

[wcarroll330]

I will be 72 in May of this year. 5 years ago, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and offered surgery as the gold standard for treatment. We caught my cancer early and it was a slow growth variety of cancer.

I did 60 days of research on the many alternative treatments. This included interviewing patients and the leading surgeons in two of the major hospitals in Los Angeles. The final conclusion was easy. I underwent 40 days of proton therapy at Loma Linda University Medical Center. there were minimal side affects during treatment. My PSA dropped from 5.5 to 0.12 over the next year and I am functioning normally.
If I had the choice to make again, the treatment would be the same. I have referred many friends to Loma Linda.
What price can you put on this success?

[gtfcs]

Dear Katie;
May I add my comments to your story regarding Proton Radiation to kill prostate cancer.
Back in 2001 I was told I had that cancer and because of an existing heart condition- I could NOT have surgery.
I found out about proton Radiation at Loma Linda Med, Center and when I had sent them my papers I was told that they could do the radiation work. I had a PSA of 29.7 and they gave me 16 proton shots followed by 28 photon shots and so- in 80 days of time at Loma Lind- I came back to Minnesota and then and now have a PSA of 0.1.
Regarding cost-- because of my age in 2001 I had social security and Blue Cross major Med and so I paid NOTHING for the radiation.
I have NO side effects- I have an active life drive my own car and cook my own meals. Have NO *** loss and no ED. Even IF I had not had the insurance- I would hve choosen proton radiation to kill the prostate cancer and even had I had to take a reverse mortgage on my residence- I would have done the proton treatments. My email address is [e-mail] I live in my own home in Minneapolis, Mn and am happy and expect another 15 years of cancer free life ahead. Ed Souder a cancer victor.Thanks to Proton Radiation at Loma Linda Med,Center in Ca.You may feature my blog to the world. and on ALL cbs outlets. There is NO truth to having a cancer free life at ANY Cost! Go to protonbob . com.

[brobud-2009]

I was treated for prostate cancer with proton beam radiation in 2005 at Loma Linda, CA and am doing very well. The initial cost might be more but it is well worth it because of the lack of side effects. If I had it to do over again I would make the same choice.

Proton is actually cheaper in the long run, but has its own set of liabilities not usually apparent at the front end. Technically it is the wave of the future and no physician would avoid it for themselves.

[drgp1]

My husband was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer a year and a half ago at age 50. His urologist who did his biopsy offered only surgery, a treatment that at best leaves the man with a 50% chance of impotence and incontenance, not to mention it''s a very invasive surgery with the risk of blood loss and other complications. Fortunately for us, my father and myself are alumni of Loma Linda University and had knowledge of the Protn Beam Center and it''s success in treating Prostate Cancer (as well as many other otherwise untreatable cancers). My husband underwent the treatments last summer, and already had a drop in his PSA from 5 to 1.3. He feels good and has had no change in quality of life at all - no incontinence or impotence whatsoever. The rising cost of medical care is not due to sophisticated, life saving treatments such as the Proton Beam Therapy. It is related more to the corruption of the insurance companies. Shame on you CBS - you should do a story on insurance companies!

[pkellygeo]

There is no question in my mind that Proton Beam treatment for prostate cancer is worth the cost. In fact, I probably would have paid for the treatment myself rather than end up with a relatively high risk of ED and/or incontinence that goes with most/all other PCa treatment options. At 66, I look forward to many more years of intimate times with my wife and freedom from a diaper.

One has to wonder how much influence doctors with a vested interest in the other options had in the preparation of the CBS story. I certainly experienced that bias in my journey through the process of finding the best possible treatment. And, because many/most Americans tend to have a very high trust level in our doctors, perhaps even the CBS writers, editors and reporters were victims of the same conditioned reflex.

[wwm1]

CBS, you have done a great disservice to all those men out there that have been diagnosed with PC and are searching for a treatment. How many of them have you scared away from the Proton option with your poorly researched and incomplete story on Proton Radiation treatment? It is a story of half truths and bias that is bound to mislead many. I will not go into my own personal, and positive, experience with Proton treatment...9 pages of positive blogs must even tell you something. CBS you should be ashamed. What are you going to do about it?

[fredbruno]

I am currently under going treament for recurrent prostate cancer. When I was treated initially 8 years ago it was a prostatectomy ( surgery). My cancer slowly reappeared and I was told that I should get radiation treatment. This terrified me. I am a Healtcare field professional. I was terrified of the collateral damage of radiation that is widely available. It Can be bad stuff and a life long and very expensive fight with incontinence, bleeding bowel and impotence. I did hours and hours of research, all of which I was able to understand because of my background. Proton Radiation Therapy became a no brainer. Will it cure the cancer better ? maybe not, will it diminish the collateral damage? Absolutely.
Doctors look at disease states OBJECTIVELY. So many people will be cured, So many will die, so many will have certain side effects and thats the way it is!!
People who are pro active about their health look at THEIR disease SUBJECTIVELY. How is this going to be for ME. What is the correct thing to do for ME. I am not a statistic. I want to be be WHOLE when the procedure is over.
This argument of the cost of a procedure is nothing new. Look at the out cry over the cost of MRI when it first came out. Now MRI is in every hospital and which of us wants to be without MRI should we need it. I could continue on this vain with umpteen examples and not only in medicine.

[shooter1114]

As a surgeon and a person who has been very successfully treated at the Loma Linda Proton center i must comment. Cost is only one aspect of any treatment modality, however if one takes into account all the expenses associated with other forms of prostate cancer treatment i submit that it is very cost effective. Some one has to pay for lost work, the treatment of complications following other therapy options. The number of centers following Loma Linda''s lead and installing proton equipment speaks to this.
J. Edson Price Jr.,M.D. FACS

[jonwiltot]

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in August of 1995. My urologist attempted to rush me into surgery and gave me no information on alternative treatments. Fortunately, an acquaintance informed me about the procedure(Proton beam therapy) at Loma Linda University Medical Center. My wife and I visited the site and spoke to a number of patients who were receiving treatment. Comparing their stories of passive treatment to the horrible tales of friends of mine who underwent surgery, my decision was proton trteatment. I underwent 37 treatments of straight proton radiation with absolutely no side effects and was able to resume my normal work schedule during the seven weeks of treatment. In the twelve plus years since completion of treatment, I have had no problems with incontinence or impotence and have had excellent results on my annual PSA examinations. In conclusion, my experience has been worth any cost even though my out of pocket was minimal.

[nelsonbruns]

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and investigated the options for treatment.
Radical prostatectomy which would be radical surgery with a long recovery. Fortunately robotic surgery was aavailable which I considered upon the advice of my urologist. However I know of two people that have had the procedure. While the surgery is minimal and the recovery is quite short they had incontinence and impotence problems a year later.

Conventional radiology is another option. I know people that have had "seeds" and "beam". Due to fact that radiation beams affect other organs they have had serious permanent side effects, including bowels and stomach.

After much study I chose proton beam therapy at M.D. Anderson in Houston. Even though my urologist pushed for robotic surgery (which he would do). It has been one year since completion and I have had absolutely no side effects during or after the treatments.

Yes the treatments are expensive, but isn''t the quality of life to be considered as well as the costs of medical treatment for the side effects caused by the other forms of treatment.

It''s about time that a fair and balanced report was done that wasn''t influenced by physicians who want to protect their own agenda.

[giffels3]

In 2003 I was treated for prostate cancer by the "gold standard" method: radical prostatectomy. Within 6 months the cancer recurred, while I suffered from incontinence and erectile dysfunction for far longer. By 2006, my urologists suggested IMRT, but cautioned that I would have incontinence, diarrhea, and rectal and urinary bleeding, and would live only another 7 years. Instead, I had proton beam radiation at Loma Linda, without any side effects, and with expectation of living another 20 years. How can you put a price tag on that, or on the contributions to society that I can provide in my extended lifespan?

Don Giffels, Harbor Springs, MI

[rjk-jpk]

When the U.S. was invading Iraq, I was being treated with proton beams for prostate cancer. My urologist was honest enough to tell me that surgery, which he recommended, would leave my incontinent and impotent, permanently.

I was grateful to find the proton beam alternative, and can confirm that the side effects were minimal, and did not include either of the ones that I would have had if I''d had surgery. I still see the urologist every six months, as a way of educating him to the benefits of proton beam radiation for prostate cancer. I hope that he has the integrity to recommend it to patients who are facing either of those side effects from their treatments for prostate cancer.

[rperock]

THIS IS ANOTHER INSTANCE WHERE CBS PRE-ESTABLISHES A OPINION, SELECTS THAT WHICH BACKS UP ITS POSITION, AND IGNORES OTHER FACTS THAT MAY CONTRADICT CBS''S PRE-ESTABLISED OPINION. (I WILL GO TO MY GRAVE WITH THE MEMORY OF THE DAN RATHER LIES SUPPORTED BY THE POLITICAL BIAS OF CBS''S MANAGERMENT VS. GEORGE BUSH SERVICE RECORDS).
I HAD MY PROSTATE CANCER CURED BY THE PROTON IN 1995. AT THAT TIME, I DID A COST ANALYSIS OF JUST SIMPLY HOW MUCH TO PAY FOR THE TREATMENT VS. "NORMAL" SURGERY. IT WAS A PUSH. I DID NOT CALCULATE THE COSTS SAVED DURING TREATMENT AND QUALITY OF LIFE POST TREATMENT. I PUT IN 8 HOURS OF PAID WORK ON THE SAME DAY I TOOK THE 37 WORK-DAY TREATMENTS.
CBS - TAKE OFF THE BLINDFOLD ON YOUR ONE EYE AND THE HORSE BLINDERS ON THE OTHER EYE AND DO A MORE THOROUGH ANALYSIS BEFORE YOU PREJUUDGE THE SITUATION AS EVIDENCED BY YOUR OPENING HEADLINE - "IS IT TOO EXPENSIVE?". HOW ABOUT, "WHAT ARE THE TRADEOFFS IN CANCER TREATMENTS?" THEN PRESENT THE FACTS, AND INVITE MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE PEOPLE TO ADD, CLARIFY, OR DEBUNK YOUR BIASES.