@jeffmarc
We have to be careful what we post.
I did not post that there was a difference in treatment succes of proton and photon radiation. The actual studies done on proton and photon radiation showed that the success rates for treating the cancer were identical. This was echoed by my PCP, and R/O at Mayo and R/O at UFHPTI.

What I posted were the possible side afffects difference between photon and proton radiation. This is not my opinion but information provided to me by Mayo, UFHPTI and other sites researching side affects of proton and photon radiation. Both will have secondary radiation damage the differennce is possible degree and if significant. My PCP states leaps and bounds have been made to improve photon radiation treatments to reduce the damage to surrounding organs and tissues.

Photon radiation passes completely throught body proton radiation does not. It stops as a predetermined spot and does not proceed out the body like photon radiation. Having radiation proceed past your prostate can possibly add to radiation damage to the tissues and organs beyond your prostrate. This is the differences in the two types of radiation not their succes rate.

My PCP at Mayo Clinic echoed this information when he was going over my options for treatments and giving me the pros and cons of each. He is doing a lot of research on protate cancer treatments as he says he is dedicated to be better source of information for his patients. The same information on photon and proton radiations was briefed to me by R/O Mayo, and R/O UFHPTI.

UFHPTI, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinc, etc., now provide proton radiation treatments. Until recenlty proton was not widely available. Mayo Jacksonville does not offer proton radiation treatments only photon. They do refer patients to UFHPTI that need a more controlled radiation treatments like eye cancer, brain cancer, etc. Mayo Jacksonville is building a new cancer center that will have proton radiation treatments.

I was briefed at Mayo Jacksonville by my R/O and my R/O at UFHPTI that radiation damage to colon is a common side affect that can and does lead to some rectal bleeding. Radiation damages the blood vessels of colon and when new ones are formed they are very suceptible to bleeding but eventually become stronger.