Letter to the Editor

Dear Staff,

On behalf of the Szykowny family, Peg and I would like to thank all the medical professionals at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute for their care and treatment of my prostate cancer using the proton therapy option. It was quite an experience!

Thank you for caring and for all you have done for me to address my prostate cancer.

With your continued care and compassion, I (we) look forward to surviving this disease and moving forward in life as best we can. It was very nice to be able to "ring the bell" with your staff present as well as our family. See you in September.

Regards,
Larry & Peg Szykowny

Here is a little more about Larry’s diagnosis and his and Peggy’s decision to treat his prostate cancer with proton beam therapy. September was Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

An elevated PSA level during a routine screening led Larry to see a urologist who conducted a biopsy and ordered an MRI. The results showed Larry was facing high-risk prostate cancer. The initial treatment recommendation was photon treatment, and the couple was worried about the number of treatments required with this cancer treatment plan, as well as Larry’s quality of life while receiving the treatment and into the future.

The Szykowny’s researched other prostate cancer treatment options and learned more about proton therapy for prostate cancer and the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute. The hospitality of the staff from the beginning drew Larry and Peggy in. After reading the packet of information sent to them, including a book written by a former patient and then meeting with Dr. Bill Mendenhall, the couple chose proton therapy at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute. The decision came down to the way they were welcomed at the Institute, the way Dr. Mendenhall and other staff members put them at ease, as well as the cancer treatment plan, including fewer treatments and the research that showed there would be fewer side effects from proton therapy.

“My advice to others diagnosed with prostate cancer would be to seek treatment early and do as much research as you can … to decide on your best mode of treatment given your situation. Don’t wait to go through required testing only to find your cancer type may have spread elsewhere…,” said Larry.