Folks, the probability of experiencing some level of rectal bleeding, either shorter or longer term, especially with SBRT proton therapy (5 Sessions) even with gel spacer, is a harsh reality that is not typically a topic of conversation unless the patient happens to bring up the subject during consults. The potential for bleeding is not a reason to avoid this treatment protocol - but it is definitely up to the patient to self-educate on the subject and to not think you are going to beat the odds on the bleeding issue. My bleeding started 12 months following treatment (streaks of blood on surface of stool and periodically just a small amount of fresh blood after a bowel movement). If this occurs with you, request a CBC blood test to see if your hemoglobin level has dropped from baseline. If so, it's probably a radiation induced situation that will not remedy itself but can be addressed by a gastro doctor. It's just all a part of living with the outcomes of any particular prostate treatment protocol we select. Good luck.