The Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute (HUPTI) treated its 400thpatient on Friday, Sept. 21. The patient, Stan Jackson, an attorney of Aiken, S.C., says: “I’m ecstatic…I wasn’t the first and I certainly won’t be the last. I hope I’m just the start of a great migration of patients at [HUPTI], for a caring treatment of cancer.”
“As we reach our milestone of 400 patients, I can’t help but reflect on the many marvelous people we have been privileged to meet,” said Christopher Sinesi, M.D., HUPTI medical director.
“Mr. Jackson had a particularly pressing problem,” said Sinesi. “He had started x-ray based IMRT for prostate cancer but had severe side effects. His local doctor assisted in his transfer to our proton facility where we have been able to proceed with his treatments with a marked reduction in his complications.”
Jackson was diagnosed in March 2012 with prostate cancer and initially began IMRT treatments in June. Jackson quickly opted for a different treatment.
“After complications with IMRT, I decided that proton therapy was the best choice for me,” Jackson said. “I wouldn’t be spending the time, effort and money for lodging, etc., if I didn’t think that proton therapy was the best therapeutic remedy for prostate cancer without complications.”
Jackson began proton therapy treatment last month and completed three weeks of treatment. “I would recommend those currently considering treatment for cancer to be knowledgeable as to alternative treatments and about your disease, so that you can make an informed decision.
“Once informed, find the very best facility you can find to rectify the cancer,” said Jackson. “In my instance, I can say that HUPTI was the very best treatment facility for me.”
In addition to practicing business and civil law, Jackson is an adjunct law professor at three law schools and the Medical College of Georgia.
Jackson, 65, enjoys flying, sailing and racquetball. He has three children and lives in South Carolina with his wife Suzanne. HUPTI began treating patients in August of 2010, and is currently treating prostate, breast, brain, lung, head and neck, pediatric and other cancers.
“The staff is not only very experienced, they’re also very happy, caring, supportive, and concerned people,” said Jackson. “[The staff] couldn’t be better.”
About HUPTI
HUPTI is the eighth proton facility in the U.S. and the largest of its kind in the world. When reaching full operation later this year, HUPTI is expected to treat approximately 1,500 patients annually. Proton therapy is regarded as the most precise form of cancer treatment to date, targeting only the tumor while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. The actual treatment of protons lasts less than two minutes. Patients are treated five days a week, from one to nine weeks.
For additional Information, please contact Sarita Scott at 757.251.6814 or sarita.scott@hamptonproton.org