Radiation Center Celebrates Milestone, Brentwood Prostate Cancer Patient Finds Healing

ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Somerset, N.J., recently reached a major milestone when its 2,000th patient completed cancer treatment. The 2,000th graduate was Henri Delmar, a local resident from Brentwood, who was treated for prostate cancer.

Despite being offered the option of “active surveillance” to monitor his disease’s progression, Mr. Delmar was determined to take action on his health. The reason? His father died of metastatic prostate cancer years ago. He set out on a journey to speak with oncologists and research the best option for his case.

A radiation oncologist he had consulted mentioned proton radiation, but recommended standard X-ray radiation instead, as there are no proton therapy centers in the state of New York. Still, proton therapy piqued Delmar’s interest.

“After conducting research on my treatment options for prostate cancer, I concluded that proton therapy was the best option for me. With my passion for science and engineering, I was fascinated by the technology and advanced precision of proton radiation,” states Mr. Delmar.

Undaunted and eager, Mr. Delmar searched for proton therapy centers close to home, and was pleased to find one in Somerset, N.J.

Proton therapy is a precise form of radiation that directly attacks tumors using proton beams to deliver all of their energy to the tumor site and stop there. What this means is that proton therapy can reduce damage to healthy surrounding tissue, allowing patients to receive radiation treatment with fewer side effects.

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in the United States, and about out in seven will be diagnosed with the illness during his lifetime. Proton therapy has been used for more than twenty years to treat prostate cancer, and long-term data have proven its safety and efficacy.

Dr. Henry Tsai, a radiation oncologist at ProCure N.J. explains, “The dramatic reduction in radiation to critical structures, including the rectum and bladder, is associated with a low risk of potentially long-term side effects, like gastrointestinal issues, incontinence and impotence. Unfortunately, these side effects are often experienced with other treatment options for prostate cancer.”

“ProCure is enabling me to live a longer and healthier life by avoiding side effects,” Mr. Delmar added. “I hope that by sharing my positive experience, it might guide other men facing a similar health challenge to access proton therapy.” Mr. Delmar was given a “Challenge Coin,” like every patient who has finished treatment at ProCure, to symbolize his bravery and path to healing. But his was emblazoned with a milestone number: 2,000.

Reflecting on ProCure’s achievement of treating 2,000 patients in just four years since opening, Dr. Tsai states: “This milestone is about every patient who has walked through our doors – from patient one to patient 2,000 – and to every patient that will come to ProCure in the future. Our commitment is to you: you motivate us, you inspire us and you’re at the heart of everything we do. We pledge to continue to treat, to research and to strive towards a better future for cancer patients and their families."

Photo 1: Henri Delmar, the 2000th patient graduating from ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Somerset, gives a speech at the recent ceremony commemorating this milestone.

Photo 2: Dr. Henry Tsai, radiation oncologist at ProCure NJ, Henri Delmar, the 2000th ProCure graduate, and Frank Mackinson, the Center’s first patient graduate from 4 years ago, cut a cake to celebrate.