@tj1967
Sure be glad to help.
Yes to your question. I specifically went with proton radiation that the possibility of reducing radiation damage to other organs and tissues. I learned the difference between the two directly being briefed my Mayo R/O, UFHTPI R/O and my Mayo PCP.

I am a patient of Mayo Jacksonville since 2006. It is where I was referred to urologist by my PCP, who did MRI/contrast, who then did biopsies and cancer diagnosis. I then had consultation with Mayo Jacksonville R/O could only offer photon radiation. One of the statements told to me during that consulation was "oh any secondarr cancers caused by this you would not have to deal with for 10 years."

I did not like that but it is a direct experience from a R/O about photon radiation. My PCP (Mayo) wanted me to consider proton radiation available at UFHPTI. He said he refers a lot of patients there and then they can choose which one to go with. I did the second opinon like what I was told about proton and then met with my PCP. We went over the pros and cons of both and we came to same conclusion that proton radiation was best for me.

At 58 you have a long life ahead of you. I am 78 had my radiation done at 76 at my PSA is not at the undetectable number. I can suggest you do research and get the pros and cons of each. It appears you have already had a consultation at both photon and proton and know the differences. If you don't I can pass on what my R/Os told me and is included in their handouts to me.

I drove over an hour to UFHPTI where Mayo was only 25 minutes away. It did not matter I just wanted to do anything that would possibly reduce radiation damage to other areas of my body.

Another person on MCC asked me about UFHPTI as he lived in South Carolina. He had the same issue, go close for photon or stay at a hotel during his radiation treatment at UFHPTI. I asked him to get the free information packet from UFHPTI as contains tons of information and research along with two prostate cancer books. Then do a consultation and decide what is best for you. He decided on proton and UFHPTI. His treatments are over and his PSA levels have been cut in half and continue going down.

tj1967. It really has to be a personal decision. You know what is important to you and your family. Those on MCC do not know your medical and mental health history thus that and your family are critical for you and your decision.

If I had it to do over again I would do the same thing. I want to pass on to you that Mayo Jacksonville is building a new cancer center that will have proton radiation treatments. They hired 3 R/O from UFHPTI to set it up and run it.

New forms of photon radiation try to turn the beam in and around organs. But there is no change to photon going into your body full force, and exiting full force. Proton enters body low dose, releases it's full dose at specific programmed place and stops. It does not continue through body.

You will read information and from posters that both have the same succesful treatment outcome. The long range studies (UFHTPI got a 25 million dollar federal grant to do such a study and I am an participant in that study) will try to define the long term affects of both and the significant difference. I don't have the exact number in study but I know it is several thousands of participants.
Good luck, and if I did not answer a question fully or you have others feel free to asked me on forum or even private message.

@tj1967 @jc76 Just finished Proton Therapy in 5 sessions on Friday. I chose Proton Therapy because I didn’t want radiation to pass through and affect anything. What I read is that it leads to less of the urinary side effects. I chose the short course also because I didn’t want to spend months in treatment and I couldn’t find my difference in outcomes. The urinary issues might be more intense but theoretically go down relatively quickly. We’ll see. I’m getting up every night many times with urgency. I’m glad I did Proton and I’m glad I did the shorter course because I wanted it over with. @jc76 was on person who I found very helpful in this journey.