POSITIVE HEALTH: Proton radiation

But for one man, the news was his motivation to learn more about this inconvenient disease that would change his life forever.

Bill Vancil, a former broadcasting personality who lives in Wisconsin and author of Don't Fear the Big Dogs, was diagnosed with prostate cancer two years ago at age 63. Although the news was surprising, Vancil says it was more of a wake-up call to fulfill a mission.

"When my doctor gave me the news, I was shocked because I never expected prostate cancer," said Vancil, who was in town last month to promote his book and, more importantly he says, regular prostate screenings. "I went in to check on something else and that's when it was discovered."

Vancil said his urologist discussed several options for treatment, none of which appealed to him.

"I didn't feel like my diagnosis was a death sentence," said Vancil, "It was just that the traditional options were not for me."

Conducting his own research for a treatment online, Vancil was on a mission to find a therapy that did appeal to him. That's when he happened upon proton beam radiation.

Proton radiation is delivered by proton beams that enter the body externally, allowing radiation to penetrate the targeted site of the diseased tissue or tumor without exiting the body. This type of treatment not only preserves surrounding tissue and organs from radiation, but has shown to improve the quality of life for the cancer patient, with most having very little or no side effects.

Proton radiation therapy is custom-set for each individual patient, with beam time treatment sessions usually lasting one to three minutes each.

The new 98,000-square-foot Florida Proton Therapy Institute, located at Shands Jacksonville, is slated to open in July.

"Once I started reading about proton therapy and talking to members of a support group, I knew this was for me," said Vancil.

After his initial consultation with physicians at the Loma Linda University Medical Center in California in March 2004, Vancil started making plans for his treatment, which began two months later.

"The first thing I did was tell my daughter, Tori Lou, about my diagnosis and then I asked her if she would accompany me to Southern California after school let out in June," said Vancil. "She did and the result is the book and the most wonderful experience and interaction a father and daughter could ever have."

Vancil's daily radiation treatments lasted one to three minutes each for a total of 44 sessions. After each day's treatment, he and Tori Lou traveled all over Southern California.

Florida Proton Therapy Institute Located: Shands Jacksonville Campus, only one in Southeast. What is it? The latest technology for cancer treatment. How does it work? A precise form of radiation destroys cancer cells and minimizes damage to healthy cells. Opening: July 2006

"I had no side effects and felt great," said Vancil. "We made the most of our 'vacation,' hitting surf shops and skating boarding events. It was a wonderful bonding experience for both of us."

Currently, there are three centers in the United States that offer proton therapy: Loma Linda University Medical Center in California, the Northeast Proton Treatment Center at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and the University of Indiana in Bloomington. In July, a fourth center - the only one in the Southeast - is slated to open. The Florida Proton Therapy Institute, located at Shands Jacksonville, will offer proton radiation therapy to treat several types of cancers including pediatrics, eye, brain and prostate as well.

According to Stuart Klein, MHA, executive director of the Florida Proton Institute, the 98,000-square-foot structure houses both proton therapy and conventional radiation therapy, three treatment rooms with massive 100,000-pound rotating proton beam gantrys, and a treatment room with a fixed proton beam. Also, the facility includes 12,000 square feet of research and clinical space. Physicians associated with the facility are University of Florida College of Medicine faculty.

Proton beam radiation was first used in limited clinical trials in the early 1950s at Cal Tech. Since then, numerous studies and worldwide research has perfected the treatment, which, today, is a viable means of treating several types of cancers.

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