northoftheborder, Proton radiation is very different from photon. If you had photon you probably had the type that rotates around your body and radiates the prostrate from many angles. You probably would not have the tan marks that you get with proton. With the standard proton radiation the entry area is usually on the both sides of body just above hip area. This is the area that a lot of us will get a tan mark and is normal occurrence from proton radiation as it enters a specific area.

It is too bad Canada does not allow proton for adults. There is a lot of data that it possibly can reduce radiation damage to surrounding organs and tissue. The Proton beam does not release (it can be programmed to a specific distance to release it's radiation) it's radiation until it hits the prostrate and does not continue through the body like Photon. I had proton beam radiation treatments.

The proton beam releases a very reduced amount of radiation when it enters body, realeases it's radiation dose at a specific point and stops. It does not radiate past the prostrate or the organ/tissue being treated. It can if programmed to do that based on need. Mayo Rochester and Mayo Phoenix offer proton radiation treatments for prostrate cancer. Jacksonville does not have proton radiation but is building a new cancer center that will have it.

Oncologist/Radiologist are treating pediatric cancers using proton raditaion to reduce the long term side affects and secondary cancers of radiation treatments. Proton can be done using proton pencil beam (fine tuning the radiation beam) like eye, inside neck, brain cancers.

I had my proton radiation done at UFPTI because Mayo Jacksonville only has photon. Mayo Jacksonville refers a lot of pediatric patients to UFPTI because of the benefit of proton radiation (especially proton pencil beam) for reduction of secondary radiation side affects and long term sides affects over photon. I was shocked to see how many children were being treated at UFPTI and they have a whole section of the center dedicated to children's care and treatment rooms.

Sound like you are doing much better now. I hope you the best.