With breast cancer affecting one in eight women, the ProCure Proton Therapy Center based in Somerset is launching an appeal to news organizations to elevate public awareness regarding the crucial role of early screening and detection, as well as available treatment options. The center stressed the overwhelmingly positive news that when breast cancer is found early and treated, the survival rate is 99%.
Early detection saves lives
Dr. Brian Chon, medical director at ProCure, emphasized the life-saving nature of screening.
“Breast cancer screening saves lives,” he stated. “During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s vital to emphasize that early detection and successful treatment go hand in hand.”
Chon urged media leaders to use their platforms to stress that early detection not only significantly increases the chance of a positive outcome but also “often allows for less aggressive treatment that helps patients maintain a higher quality of life.”
Promoting precise treatment with Proton Therapy
For many women diagnosed with breast cancer, radiation therapy is a component of treatment. ProCure promotes proton therapy as a powerful and highly precise option in these cases. The advanced treatment is capable of significantly reducing radiation exposure to nearby organs, such as the heart and lungs. This precision, the center notes, helps to lower the risk of potential side effects like heart disease or pneumonitis.
Proton therapy is also more accessible than commonly perceived. ProCure’s Somerset, New Jersey center is conveniently located for those in the New York and Philadelphia metropolitan areas. The center also participates with many insurance plans and maintains dedicated staff to assist patients with navigating the financial aspects of their care.
The ProCure Proton Therapy Center, which opened in March 2012, was the tri-state region’s first proton therapy facility. It treats a wide range of cancers and has served over 7,400 patients to date, offering many cancer patients a non-surgical treatment option often associated with fewer side effects and less downtime.
