Official Press Release of book!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Book Helps Many Understand and Survive Cancer / Surviving Cancer with Proton Therapy: Road to Nami Island - by York L. Phillips with Curtis Poling

Prostate cancer is receiving a lot of attention in the press these days. The U.S. Preventive Task Force is recommending that fewer men be routinely subjected to a PSA test, which is used to screen for possible presence of prostate cancer. Men who have been treated for this cancer are aware of what might have happened if they had not learned they had the disease and taken appropriate action in time. In the meantime, 200,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States alone and the death rate for the disease is 15%. An established treatment using proton beam therapy is an effective method for addressing some cases, and is also an appropriate means for attacking other cancers, including several kinds of pediatric cancers.

St. Simons Island, Georgia – June 18, 2012 – This is the story of Joe, an American  living in Argentina, who discovers he has prostate cancer, researches the kinds of treatments available, choses proton beam therapy, and travels to Seoul, Korea for treatment at the National Cancer Center. One side story deals with the sad case of a man who does not act quickly and proactively to deal with his cancer. Another, happier story is of a young child who receives proton beam therapy to combat pediatric cancer.

Unlike many men who received a diagnosis of prostate cancer, Joe doesn’t immediately accept the advice of his doctors, but proceeds to find out more about the cancer and the options for treatment. In the same manner, Joe researches where he will be treated.  Dr. Cho Kwan Ho (Dr. Cho) of the National Cancer Center in Seoul writes in the foreword:

“Prostate cancer in the early stage is highly curable. However, once you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, you will be scared and confused even if you are told you have an early stage of the disease. Then you will be overwhelmed by the flood of unrefined information from many different sources. You will be more frustrated and exhausted after hearing conflicting opinions even from different medical professionals. Eventually, you may have to start a long journey on your own. This is the story of a gentleman who takes a long journey to research the best cure for cancer while maintaining his quality of life. Finally, having found proton beam therapy, he makes another long journey to Korea to receive treatment. I believe he made the right decision because proton therapy is potentially the best for similar situations.”

Joe’s experiences, although presented as fictional, are drawn from the experiences of real people who have been treated for prostate cancer with proton beam therapy. They (and he) found that this method was very successful, while leaving fewer and much milder side effects compared with other common treatments. Joe’s experience taught him that having routine PSA tests and participating actively in his own decisions about treatment led to a much better outcome than he might have had. Based on his experiences, Joe also helps the family of a young child learn about proton beam treatment for pediatric cancer.

In addition to researching cancer treatment options, the book relates the feelings of Joe’s wife and others who, as friends and family members of the patient, are also very much affected by the disease.

About the Authors - York L. Phillips with Curtis Poling - Phillips retired from a 43-year career in government service and launched this project to help tell the story of his friend Curtis Poling. Phillips crafted the story that Poling and many others helped tell. For his part, Poling received proton beam treatment for prostate cancer at Loma Linda University Medical Center in California, the earliest large scale application of proton technology to medical problems. Subsequently, Poling embarked on an effort to bring proton beam therapy to the attention of people with cancers that can be effectively treated with this method, particularly including prostate patients.

For more information about Surviving Cancer with Proton Therapy: Road to Nami Island, please visit www.RoadToNamiIsland.blogspot.com or contact York L. Phillips at 912-297-0663 or Curtis Poling at 912-266-7575 or curtis@protonkorea.com The book is currently available for sale on Amazon in paperback and Kindle versions.

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A Quote From the Editor

If I might quote Sherrye Gibbs on York's book "..."I knew it was going to be a learning experience for me … I have learned about prostate cancer; I have learned what Proton Therapy is; and I have learned about the country of Korea.

I applaud York’s dedication to his subject matter and his willingness to tackle the uncomfortable subject of Prostate Cancer in a straightforward manner. Because the main character of this book goes to Korea seeking cancer treatment, I have a new perspective on this modernized, vibrant nation and what it has to offer. While in Korea, York’s main character has to find ways to entertain himself when he’s not undergoing treatment … this book allows you to share his experiences in a way that makes YOU want to be there . While this book was never intended as a travel guide to Korea … I think it just might be."

If you know someone with prostate cancer or other cancers, share this book. If you have questions about proton therapy and other cancer, feel free to email (curtis@protonkorea.com) and ask him about proton therapy for other cancers.  

We just published our book...

The book is the fictional account of a man who discovers he has prostate cancer, investigates his choices for treatment, chooses proton beam therapy (PBT), and goes to Seoul, Korea to be treated at the National Cancer Center. While the situations and many of the characters in the book are fictional, they are based on interviews with real people who have gone through the experience.

This book serves as a general guide in researching options for treatment of prostate cancer and other localized cancers, including pediatric cancers. It also serves as a guide for those in Korea while getting treatment. Finally, it serves as a guide for understanding the challenges facing prostate cancer patients and their families.