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@jesse65 What you’ll find is that proton - as this graphic shows - is less likely than photons (x-rays) to cause skin irritation/tanning/burn/damage because proton doesn’t release the majority of its energy until it reaches a pre-determined depth. (This is called its Bragg-Peak characteristic.). Because of this, its initial energy at the skin can be lowered.
This has nothing to do with newer gantry technology; it’s a physical nature of protons that photons do not have.
This was a scientific discovery ( by William Bragg) when shooting protons through various substances, long before protons started being used for medical treatments.
Also, that adaptive technology you mention was first used with photon treatments well before it was incorporated into proton treatments. Each advancement builds on the previous one.
It’s great that your treatments are going well.
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@brianjarvis I believe in science and I fully understand the Bragg-Peak characteristic. I also know that every person, every delivery device, every technician, and every beam lens are not 100% perfect. Science is based on theory and rigorous analytical testing. And is also not 100% because it relies on statistical analysis which presumes a confidence interval and all other things being equal. And science supports the opinion that study assumptions may be faulty and all other things may not be equal (like where your cancer is located and how much broccoli you had for dinner). For me, all of those indicate risks to being the perfect treatment and I am an individual person not a scientific sample. I think everyone needs to make their own decisions based on their own research, faith in their Dr's knowledge and experience, an understanding of how science can differ from the real world, ... and yes, intuition, trust, and individual treatment goals.
If you really dig into the scientific studies, there is no difference between Proton, Photon, SBRT, IMRT, or surgery, depending on the metric you are using to compare. As ALL oncologists and urologists have told me, "if it's the greatest treatment, why isn't everyone doing it and why do all these other treatments exist?" . Because everyone's individual circumstances differ.
You need to empower yourself to a decision based on science AND your own individual situation. It's not a one-size fits all. No right or wrong, just what's best for you given your treatment goals.
Everyone should be aware that they are hiring the doctor and selecting the treatment options, not having to blindly go down a doctor's recommended path.
I don't disagree with you regarding protons being a good option, and the science does show advantages, but Bragg Peak is not the entire decision-making matrix. I hope I don't come off as argumentative, I just think we should all be supporting each other's personal decisions and increase awareness that there are options. And to do your research and be your own advocate.
I wish the best life for you brianjarvis and everyone else in this forum. Thankfully we have many treatment options to fit individual medical situations and personal treatment goals.