You Can Beat Prostate Cancer

My (then 60 year old) husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer in June of 2005 (Gleason score 8- PSA 114) by a urologist recommended to us by our general practioner. We were lucky that this urologist used at least a 12 sample (honestly at this time can't remember if it was more, but not less) biopsy needle, because we knew nothing about the standards for this procedure at that point. This standard is pointed out very well in Mr. Marckini's book. As with all cancer diagnoses, we were devastated. In a couple of months, we were scheduled to take a trip of a life-time to England and on to China. With assurances from the urologist (and some pills to help with the swelling in the prostate so my husband could pass urine easier and a hormone deprivation implant-chemical castration) we continued with our plans for the trip and tackled the questions concerning further treatment when we got back. Since this is suppose to be a book review and not a history of my husband's prostate cancer, I'll skip all the rest of the details of his treatment and get right to the subject. I did a tremendous amount of research on the web and read several books, including the one given to me by the urologist and written by the American Cancer Society. I have had a lot of experience with research in general and a few medical cases and some terminology, but I am not medically trained. Nevertheless, I plowed through everything I could get my hands on and sometimes grasped the microbiology and sometimes did not. In the meantime, the urologist informed us he didn't feel surgery was an option for my husband. He "surmised" the cancer had already leaked from the prostate into surrounding lymph nodes and surgery would be useless, even though he did not have concrete evidence of such. Unbeknownst to us at the time, this was a "Godsend." Understand this, urologist believe surgery is the "gold standard" whether it be by his hands or with the help of a robot, radiologist believe radiation is the "gold standard" whether that be seed implants or IMRT (intensity modulated radiation) and unfortunately, the oncologist are essentially left out of the picture because there are no "drugs" to potentially CURE prostate cancer. Because I was not satisfied with the only treatment option the urologist supported (hormone deprivation), I continued my search. That was when I found Proton therapy. At the time my husband underwent Proton therapy at Loma Linda, Mr. Marckini's book was not published. Oh, how I wish it had been available when I first started my research. I actually read Mr. Marckini's book a couple of months ago, long after my husband's treatment was complete, treatment that his urologist neither understood or was happy about him receiving. Here's the thing about Mr. Marckini's book and what sets it apart from all others and why I wish it would have been available at the beginning of my research. It is not only complete as far as information about what is available in the

As a veteran of 34 years in nuclear power and a mechanical engineer I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Markini's book. His explanations written in common language were clear, concise, and easily understood. My wife is a Registered Nurse and she enjoyed the book, too. She commented how his explanations of the nuclear side of things was a lot clearer than mine ever were. He makes points that other books and publications miss. For instance, when a surgeon states an incontinence rate he/she does not count wetness due to laughing or sneezing. I was (still am) leery of gamma radiation treatment having been through many annual requals and incident reviews for radiation exposure but when I learned of proton beam radiation and could understand the physics, I was sold!! After devouring Mr. Marckini's book, re-reviewing all the options (hopefully there is not another one lurking out there I have not found), careful consideration, and lots and lots of prayer, I decided Proton Thereapy for treatment of my Prostate Cancer. Therefore, I canceled my Radical Prostatectomy scheduled for October 25, 2007. Prior to learning of Proton Beam Therapy on September 22, 2007 from a High School buddy who works at Loma Linda, I thought I had researched all available options thoroughly and decided that surgery was the best option for me. After that decision I checked into the various methods to perform the surgery and the records of the doctors. That is why I had scheduled surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. Surgeons there have successfully performed thousands of the surgeries using the DaVinci II robotic machine. They are the best in the Philadelphia area. However, on September 22, 2007, I found out from my friend who is a trained surgeon and practices in California that I had missed an available treatment option - Proton Therapy. Imagine that - a trained surgeon recommending proton beam radiation therapy. Since that time I have done significant investigation into this treatment option and believe that Proton Therapy is the best alternative for me. The treatment has been in use for over 15 years and many thousands of men have been successfully treated. It seems amazing to me that Proton Therapy is virtually ignored in the various brochures I received from the doctors (surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists) I spoke with during my research and most information retrieved with internet searches until I started using the word Proton in the search. There are currently only five operating Proton treatment centers in the US. Five more are under construction. This is a great book - You Can Beat Prostate Cancer, And You Don't Need Surgery To Do It by Robert Marckini. And if you write the author, his E-mail is in the book - He calls you back THAT DAY I, also, learned that doctors although very knowledgeable in their field of specialization have very limited knowledge about the entire field of medicine Their advice has to be weighed according to the

Robert Marckini is a prostate cancer survivor. Before his treatment, he thoroughly researched all aspects of prostate cancer and its treatment. Mr. Marckini explains prostate cancer and the different types of treatment available in a very easy to understand format. All aspects of prostate cancer are included: the methods used to establish the diagnosis, grading of the severity, different available methods of treatment, and the pros and cons of the different treatments. Resources and contact numbers are included. Most men don't understand all of the choices they have regarding treatment so they leave the treatment choice up to their doctor. With this informative book, a newly diagnosed prostate cancer patient can become proactive and make an informed decision as to what treatment choice is best for him. This is a "Must Read" for all men. Robert Hillis, MD

After the intial blow of "the news", what's next? Prostate cancer aims for all of us males. For some it will be a long time. For others (such as myself) it will be too soon. Tens of thousands of males every year repeatedly ask the question of their doctors and friends: "What would you do?" -- Listen to what they tell you, but first read Bob Marckini's book so that you know what to expect and how you might predict their answer. The amount of disinformation out there is amazing. Just now the Internet is coming alive with great information, but it takes much time to sort it out. Bob Marckini has done that. And he provided valuable feedback from actual patients (try getting that from your urologist)in addition to intriguing web sites world-wide. New literature is appearing daily...he takes you there. Where are the last approaches being done? You don't want to settle for the last doctor in the graduating class, do you? Find out how to listen to your doctor, your wife, your friends and others in this prostate area. If you value the quality of your life, a dry pair of pants, and a reliable "woody" from time to time, give this book a read. Bob Marckini gives us a present in this time-saving primer on how to beat prostate cancer without surgery!