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

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

[fiddleinfo]

I was diagnosed with PC at age 53. During that year I was married to a woman 21 years younger and, with our future together as motivation, I researched extensively to find the best possible treatment. After talking to my urologist and to people who had undergone conventional treatments, I discovered that the possible debilitating side effects of surgery etc. included: impotence, incontinence (''Depends'' for life), bowel dysfunction (possible colostomy), a catheter for weeks, infection, slow recovery of energy, mobility etc.

I then investigated proton treatment. I talked to a number of ex- prostate cancer patients who had gone through Proton treatment at LLMC and all experienced no side effects or recurrence. I was sold. During my treatment, although my sexual function remained normal, I did experience periods of urinary urgency and the need for an occasional 15 minute nap. Other than that, NO SIDE EFFECTS. As well, during treatment I was able to work 12 hours a day on a deadline job, (final editing and assembly of a book which went to print during treatment). After treatment, I had ZERO DOWNTIME!

I%u2019m convinced that proton treatment will give me an extra 40 or more years to enjoy my wife and my life to the fullest. I am also convinced that given my life situation, the treatment was the best available at any price. If a new cancer therapy can match proton in both cure rate and quality of life, then that will be the obvious way to go. Till then, Proton is the best.

[cancersurviv]

I am a care giver and a cancer survivor. Your article does not acknowledge the quality of life benefits of Proton Beam Therapy. I have friends in my senior community who were severly disabled by the pain and side effects of photon (x-ray) radiation. I could not afford to be disabled during my treatment. The only insurance that does not cover this life saving, quality of life saving therapy are the penny pinching HMOs that appear to have been major contributors to your article. How much do six TOMO machines or Cyberknife machines cost? The cyclotron is used by multiple treatment rooms spreading the cost. Please try to put a cost on quality of life!

[hrabin]

I am 86 years old and a healthy survivor of Prostate Cancer thanks to the Proton Radiation treatement I recieved at Loma Linda Medical Center. On May 4th 2008 I will celebrate my 17th year of CANCER FREE REMEDIATION. I don''t know how anyone can put a price tag on this remarkable achievement.

[leedsmith]

Costs, really TOTAL costs, are always an important consideration in any decision. Total costs include the before, during AND after costs associated with any issue.

Some %u201Cafter%u201D costs can be easily calculated: further doctor visits, diapers, etc. Other %u201Cafter%u201D costs are more difficult to calculate. What is the cost of incontinence? What is the cost of lost intimacy?

However, informed decisions are based on benefit relative to cost, not simply cost. The benefits to society of medical treatment are real, but difficult to calculate. The benefits to the patient are real and generally incalculable.

Proton beam therapy is the best treatment for prostate cancer for the same reason it is best for brain and many other cancers: it treats the cancer and not healthy, vital tissues next to the cancer.

I completed proton beam therapy for my prostate cancer in October, 2006 at Loma Linda University Medical Center. Medicare and my insurance company (to which I had paid premiums for years, of course) paid all treatment costs without questions.

The benefits of my treatment are that my PSA continues to drop and there are NO side effects. I cannot tell you the dollar value of my benefits, but I can tell you that the value easily exceeds the total cost of my treatment at LLUMC.

[jackhall2]

I completed proton beam radiation for prostate cancer 3 1/2 years ago without side effects and my psa has now flatlined at 0.10. My urologist, who was doubtful of my decision to go to Loma Linda in the first place, is now a convert to proton beam. He thinks, as I do, that it''s a superior treatment and he now recommends it to other patients. I know others who, with other treatment, either had severe side effects and/or reoccurence of the cancer. Proton beam is worth the added cost!

[thanksproton]

I was scheduled for prostate surgery when I spoke to a man that was experiencing significant incontinence after his surgery. Further research indicated that most surgery patients have some degree of incontinence after surgery. While men don''t speak much about the sexual side effects, it appears that many of those who had surgery also have significant ED problems. So, when I found that proton therapy would cure the cancer without the side effects or incontinence, I quickly canceled the surgery and scheduled the proton treatment. My treatment ended in August of 2007, I am continent and have the same sexual function I had before treatment. For those questioning the cost of proton treatment, find any individuals that are incontinent from their surgery or other radiation treatment and ask them what it would be worth to them to not be incontinent.

[jbl1301]

This article centers on the high cost of building a Proton treatment center. No one doubts the high cost of the facility (about the cost of a sports arena) but comes short when describing the results and the quality of life following treatment. The article was centered on Mass General, hardly the center of Proton treatment, which is in California, but then you would have to leave the East Coast.

John Barna-Lloyd
Coldspring Texas

[registered2-2009]

It''s incredible that while the USA spends billions of dollars for the war in Iraq and space exploration, CBS has to gripe about the cost of proton beam therapy which so far offers the best hope ever for cancer cure. When you or your loved ones have never experienced cancer, you cannot even begin to fathom the joy and relief that comes with being given a second chance in life with your family without any side effects. A cancer diagnosis is like getting a death sentence! My husband was treated for prostate cancer at the Loma Linda University Medical Center in 2006. His psa went from 48 down to 0.07 today, and we received instruction for living a healthier lifestyle. Having gone through the experience, I can say THERE IS NO PRICE TAG FOR THIS CANCER CURE!

[lake-wood]

I am a 65 year old prostate cancer survivor, who had proton treatment at Loma Linda Medical Center. The issue of cost of the treatment has to be balanced with the almost total lack of any side effects. I have NO issues with the bladder, rectal area or ED. All during the treatment I was able to lead a normal life, including strenuous physical activity such as hiking. My PSA is now well below 1.0, indicating complete remission. Compared to accounts from others who have had surgery or conventional radiation treatment, I feel very fortunate that this possibly life-changing, life-endangering cancer has been eliminated using the most advanced treatment - Proton Beam Therapy! I recommend that all men diagnosed with prostate cancer look into the benefits of proton.

[twotorch]

I completed my PROTON THERAPY at Loma Linda University Medical Center in December of 2006, My quality of life, i.e. bladder control, sexual function has not changed at all, there were positively no side effects whatsoever. My PSA reading in March 2008 was .6 You cannot put a price tag on the QUALITY of life after you have had the very best treatment for prostate cancer there is.

[registered2-2009]

It''s incredible that while the USA spends billions of dollars for the war in Iraq and space exploration, CBS has to gripe about the cost of proton beam therapy which so far offers the best hope ever for cancer cure. When you or your loved ones have never experienced cancer, you cannot even begin to fathom the joy and relief that comes with being given a second chance in life with your family without any side effects. A cancer diagnosis is like getting a death sentence! My husband was treated for prostate cancer at the Loma Linda University Medical Center in 2006. His psa went from 48 down to 0.07 today, and we received instruction for living a healthier lifestyle. Having gone through the experience, I can say THERE IS NO PRICE TAG FOR THIS CANCER CURE!

[registered2-2009]

It''s incredible that while the USA spends billions of dollars for the war in Iraq and space exploration, CBS has to gripe about the cost of proton beam therapy which so far offers the best hope ever for cancer cure. When you or your loved ones have never experienced cancer, you cannot even begin to fathom the joy and relief that comes with being given a second chance in life with your family without any side effects. A cancer diagnosis is like getting a death sentence! My husband was treated for prostate cancer at the Loma Linda University Medical Center in 2006. His psa went from 48 down to 0.07 today, and we received instruction for living a healthier lifestyle. Having gone through the experience, I can say THERE IS NO PRICE TAG FOR THIS CANCER CURE!

[cooper19351]

I was recently treated for prostae cancer at Loma Linda University Medical Center with Proton Therapy. This truly amazing technology cured my cancer with no side effects during or after the treatment. Regular radiation had several side effects on a friend who is still dealing with them several years later. The entire medical staff here are outstanding and cancer patients are blessed to receive treatment at this facility.When it is personal,and you have cancer,you certainly want the best treatment with the least side effects,you want cure over cost. This is what proton beam therapy delivers. Quality of life cost and it is worthy are priceless.

[pgustaf249]

The opponents are completely ignoring "quality of life" after treatment. How can you put a price tag on the value of maintaining bladder control or sexual function after prostate cancer treatment. then there''s is matter of the cost of medical treatment, plus pads, catheters and supplies for incontinence, or the cost of treatment and drugs to deal with erectile dysfunction which are avoided with proton beam therapy.

I completed treatment for prostate cancer at Loma Linda University Medical Center in May of 2007. My treatment hasn''t changed my lifestyle in the least. In less than one year my PSA is 38% of what it was prior to treatment and is still decreasing.

I think the opponents of proton beam therapy are seeing their client base threatened and are acting accordingly.

[registered2-2009]

It''s incredible that while the USA spends billions of dollars for the war in Iraq and space exploration, CBS has to gripe about the cost of proton beam therapy which so far offers the best hope ever for cancer cure. When you or your loved ones have never experienced cancer, you cannot even begin to fathom the joy and relief that comes with being given a second chance in life with your family without any side effects. A cancer diagnosis is like getting a death sentence! My husband was treated for prostate cancer at the Loma Linda University Medical Center in 2006. His psa went from 48 down to 0.07 today, and we received instruction for living a healthier lifestyle. Having gone through the experience, I can say THERE IS NO PRICE TAG FOR THIS CANCER CURE!

[registered2-2009]

It''s incredible that while the USA spends billions of dollars for the war in Iraq and space exploration, CBS has to gripe about the cost of proton beam therapy which so far offers the best hope ever for cancer cure. When you or your loved ones have never experienced cancer, you cannot even begin to fathom the joy and relief that comes with being given a second chance in life with your family without any side effects. A cancer diagnosis is like getting a death sentence! My husband was treated for prostate cancer at the Loma Linda University Medical Center in 2006. His psa went from 48 down to 0.07 today, and we received instruction for living a healthier lifestyle. Having gone through the experience, I can say THERE IS NO PRICE TAG FOR THIS CANCER CURE!

[registered2-2009]

It''s incredible that while the USA spends billions of dollars for the war in Iraq and space exploration, CBS has to gripe about the cost of proton beam therapy which so far offers the best hope ever for cancer cure. When you or your loved ones have never experienced cancer, you cannot even begin to fathom the joy and relief that comes with being given a second chance in life with your family without any side effects. A cancer diagnosis is like getting a death sentence! My husband was treated for prostate cancer at the Loma Linda University Medical Center in 2006. His psa went from 48 down to 0.07 today, and we received instruction for living a healthier lifestyle. Having gone through the experience, I can say THERE IS NO PRICE TAG FOR THIS CANCER CURE!

[roblee43]

I was recently cured of prostae cancer at the Proton Beam Institute in Jacksonville,Fl.This truly amazing technology cured my cancer with no adverse side effects during or after the treatment.The treatment plans recommended by my local doctors probably would have resulted in incontinence and impotentcy in my remaining years.The entire medical staff here are outstanding and cancer patients are blessed to receive treatment at this facility.When it''s personal,and you have cancer,you certainly want the best treatment with the least side effects,you want cure over cost.This is what proton beam therapy delivers.As the number of treatment centers increase,the costs should decrease,and fortunately will be available to more patients.

[kenford3]

I am a 65 year old Orthopedic Surgeon and former U.S. Air Force Flight Surgeon. When you are faced with the difficult challenge of deciding how to best treat your prostate cancer, I hope you are wise enough to realize that we are fortunate in this country to still have the ability to make our own well educated decision. It took time and effort to talk to enough patients and friends who received the various methods of treatment. When I considered the quality of life issues the choice became very clear. Proton radiation certainly appeared to be the most precise method of treatment with the least side effects. The patients at Loma Linda University Medical Center are there primarily by "word of mouth" based on the excellent results of thousands of patients over the past 17 years. Unfortunately, misguided financial incentives tend to point the majority of patients in other directions - please don''t make a decision without doing your homework. I finished my last treatment at Loma Linda January 15,2008.

[registered2-2009]

It''s incredible that while the USA spends billions of dollars for the war in Iraq and space exploration, CBS has to gripe about the cost of proton beam therapy which so far offers the best hope ever for cancer cure. When you or your loved ones have never experienced cancer, you cannot even begin to fathom the joy and relief that comes with being given a second chance in life with your family without any side effects. A cancer diagnosis is like getting a death sentence! My husband was treated for prostate cancer at the Loma Linda University Medical Center in 2006. His psa went from 48 down to 0.07 today, and we received instruction for living a healthier lifestyle. Having gone through the experience, I can say THERE IS NO PRICE TAG FOR THIS CANCER CURE!