Author: Leslie Toldo
Steve Thomashefski got prostate cancer screenings regularly for years, then one day, his doctor surprised him.
“My doctor said there was a chance I could have cancer,’” Steve said. “My PSA (prostate specific antigen) number jumped significantly in two years.”
Further testing revealed Steve did, in fact, have prostate cancer, and his treatment options were somewhat limited.
“The oncologist said because of my age, and because the cancer was on the outside of the prostate, surgery was not an option,” Steve said. “We talked about radiation.”
Steve had concerns about traditional radiation and how it might impact healthy tissue near the cancer. One of Steve’s daughters did some research and learned proton therapy was a radiation treatment option that came with less risk of damage to surrounding tissue and organs.
“She found a center in Ohio, and they told us about the McLaren Proton Therapy Center in Flint, so I made an appointment there and met with Dr. Hesham Gayar,” Steve said.
Dr. Gayar, a radiation oncologist and medical director of the McLaren Proton Therapy Center explained how proton therapy works, covering the benefits and potential risks. Steve was comforted by what he heard.
“What Dr. Gayar said sealed the deal. He told me that with proton therapy, healthy tissue surrounding my prostate would be exposed to 70-percent less radiation than it would be with traditional photon therapy.”
The difference between proton and traditional therapy is in how the radiation is delivered.
“The x-rays used in photon therapy, travel to the tumor, deliver radiation, then move through the body, leaving behind an exit dose of radiation that can impact healthy tissue,” Dr. Gayar said. “Protons deliver the majority of the radiation to the tumor and stop at the tumor, meaning there is no exit dose, so far less healthy tissue is exposed to radiation. That means less side effects and better quality of life during and after treatment.”
Dr. Gayar enrolled Steve in a study at the Proton Therapy Center. Once Steve decided to go forward with the treatments, he had one little issue- getting to weeks of daily treatments in Flint from his home in Ypsilanti, MI. He quickly learned there was a solution right next door- the Hospitality House at McLaren Flint, which provides low and even no-cost accommodations to out-of-town patients and their caregivers.
“The Hospitality House was amazing. It was truly a blessing,” Steve said.
With that worry out of his way, Steve could simply focus on his treatments and healing, something he says the staff at the McLaren Proton Therapy Center helped with tremendously.
“All of the technicians, everybody I met was friendly and helpful. They sincerely wanted to see me get well,” Steve said.
For Steve, who is a Catholic deacon, faith has been an important part of this journey.
“I am hoping for the best. I share my life, and now this is a topic of conversation with other men,” Steve said.
And there is a message Steve wants to get through to other men about the importance of keeping their prostate health in check.
“Get your PSA tested. Don’t wait. Don’t fool around,” Steve said.
If you are interested in learning more about proton therapy, to schedule a consultation, or to get a second opinion, visit mclaren.org/protontherapy or call 855 MY PROTON (855-697-7686).