Why was proton therapy not mentioned in NEWSWEEK magazine's June 16th cover story on Men's Health: "Prostate Cancer's Difficult Choices . A look at six different options that many men must face."

This is a valid question. It's been asked by many people. Especially by men (and their spouses) who have already successfully completed treatment for prostate cancer at Loma Linda University Medical Center's proton facility. These men want to be validated for making the "right" decision. Our simple answer is this: . the news media tends to lump all radiation therapy together as external beam radiation. Most reporters do not do their homework. Most reporters do not make the important distinction between standard x-ray radiation therapy and proton beam radiation therapy. Most reporters do not take the time or effort to find out about proton therapy -- even if they have the faintest idea what it is.

For the past 15 years, we have been fighting this public relations battle for proton therapy. We've won many and we've lost some. A few years ago, the NY Times in a Science section health care story called attention to proton therapy and made the distinction for prostate cancer patients calling protons a "superior form of radiation." TV networks over the years produced segments on magazine shows about the virtues of proton therapy in treating certain types of tumors.

While educating the news media and the public is an ongoing project, we will continue to make our voices heard. We also expect that as more regional proton centers become more accessible to patients in the next few years, proton therapy will become widely known and recognized. We anticipate seeing protons all over the health care map.

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