In honor of National Cancer Prevention Month, ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Somerset is launching a push to demystify prostate cancer screening, moving the conversation from invasive exams to simple blood tests.
The initiative comes on the heels of the “Relax Your Tight End” commercial that aired during Super Bowl LX earlier this month. The viral ad used humor and a star-studded lineup of NFL tight ends—including Rob Gronkowski and George Kittle—to break the stigma surrounding prostate exams.
“The recent attention creates a context to start conversations,” Dr. Brian Chon Medical Director at ProCure said. “Early detection is our most powerful tool. PSA screenings can identify prostate cancer before symptoms occur, when treatment that is both effective and mindful of quality of life can be considered.”
For decades, the fear of the digital rectal exam (DRE) has deterred men from seeking early screening. However, medical experts emphasize that a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test is often the first, and most important, step in detection.
According to recent 2026 health statistics, the stakes for early detection remain high:
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1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
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Black men are 70% more likely to develop the disease and twice as likely to die from it compared to white men.
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Survival rates approach 100% when the cancer is caught in the localized stage.
If a screening leads to a diagnosis, Somerset residents have access to one of the most advanced treatment options in the country. Opened in 2012 as the tri-state region’s first facility of its kind, ProCure specializes in Proton Therapy.
Unlike traditional X-ray radiation, which travels through the body and can damage healthy tissue behind a tumor, proton beams are engineered to stop at a specific depth. This “Bragg Peak” effect allows doctors to target the prostate with sub-millimeter precision.
Why it matters for patients:
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Organ Sparing: Minimizes radiation to the bladder and bowel.
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Fewer Side Effects: Lower risk of urinary incontinence or sexual dysfunction.
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Non-Surgical: No hospital stay required; most patients continue their daily routines during the 5-to-9-week treatment course.
“Proton therapy targets cancer cells aggressively while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues,” Dr. Chon explained. “This gives patients more freedom to enjoy what matters most in their lives.”
Medical guidelines currently suggest that men at average risk should begin discussing screenings at age 50. However, those with a family history or of African American descent are encouraged to start the conversation as early as age 40 or 45.
