SOMERSET, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Somerset, NJ, passed a major milestone with the graduation of its 4,000th patient to complete treatment. The achievement came just a week after the Center celebrated its seventh anniversary.
The occasion brought together ProCure team members with past and present patients and their families to celebrate. This included the 4,000th patient, Zlatko Domic. Zlatko lives in East Brunswick, NJ, and was treated for prostate cancer at the Center.
After skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American men with the American Cancer Society noting 1 in 9 males develops it over the course of his lifetime. Proton therapy is often used to treat prostate cancer as it delivers less radiation to the nearby bladder and rectum. This helps reduce a patient’s risk of developing long-term side effects such as incontinence and impotence.
Proton therapy is a precise form of radiation that directly attacks tumors, especially those in difficult-to-reach areas, while minimizing potential damage to surrounding healthy tissue and organs—a clinical advantage that allows patients to receive radiation treatment with few side effects.
Zlatko thoroughly researched his treatment options before choosing proton therapy. “The reason I chose proton therapy is the way it works. The radiation stops when it hits the target, limiting side effects. With some other forms of treatment, you can lose functions. I chose it to preserve my quality of life,” reflects Zlatko.
“Proton therapy is an advanced form of radiation that, like standard X-ray radiation, destroys cancer cells by preventing them from dividing and growing. Unlike standard radiation, it uses protons—positively charged sub-atomic particles—to precisely target tumors,” explains Dr. Brian Chon, ProCure Medical Director.
“To see how far we’ve come and where we are now it just astounds me,” shares Dr. Chon in a speech during the graduation ceremony. “I distinctly remember when this land was a corn field. Our vision was to bring the first proton facility to the most densely populated region in the country – where there is the greatest need. And here we are, graduating our 4,000th patient – a truly incredible milestone. Today is about all of our patients. When we see the courage, the generosity, the wisdom that our patients have as they go through some of the darkest times of their lives, they truly inspire us on a daily basis. It has been an honor for us to be a part of their treatment journey.”
If you or someone you love is interested in learning more about proton therapy for cancer treatment, call 1-877-967-7628 or request more information online at: www.procure.com. The team will determine if you are a candidate for proton therapy.
About Princeton ProCure Management, LLC.
ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Somerset, N.J. opened in March 2012, and was the 10th proton treatment facility in the nation and the first in the NJ/NY tri-state region. Studies have shown proton therapy to be effective in treating many types of cancers, including that of the prostate, breast, lung, brain, gastrointestinal system, head and neck region, sarcomas and many pediatric cases.
ProCure N.J. is the only proton therapy center in the metro NY/NJ area equipped with pencil beam scanning (PBS), the most advanced proton therapy technology available today. ProCure's PBS technology expands the center's ability to treat difficult and complicated tumors and is reflective of a commitment to continually advance cancer treatment options. For more information, visit www.procure.com.