You Can Beat Prostate Cancer

Mr. Marckini's book is like a ray of sunshine on an overcast and otherwise dreary day. It offers a glimmer of hope in an arena where there is precious little to be found. To fully appreciate the significance of the lifeline that Mr. Marckini has thrown, it would be necessary for you to be diagnosed with prostate cancer as so many of us have. And you would need to research pertinent medical data to understand the fightening ramifications of this awful disease. And finally you would need to comprehend how treatment can render you impotent, incontinent or worse,e.g., impotent and incontinent. It was at this point in my personal journey that I discovered Mr. Marckini's enlightening book. It transformed my outlook.

For a dramatic comparison of what once was and what the future may hold, I suggest you read the following passages of his book. Start with pages 21,22 and 23 wherein Mr. Marckini describes his brother's experience with radical prostatectomy. Contrast this discussion with Mr. Marckini's initial exposure to proton therapy as described on pages 102 to 105. As I said in one of my E-mail exchanges with the author: "Thank you." "Thank you." "Thank you."

I want to add my thanks to Bob Marckini for writing an informative and very helpful book on prostate cancer treatment. I discovered Bob and his book by accident. When my daughter learned that I had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, she knew that the father of a good friend of hers had just completed cancer treatments in California. She said that her friend’s father would be happy to talk to me and, knowing that he was an orthopedic surgeon in Houston (a city known for a world-famous cancer treatment center), I called him to see why would travel to California for treatment. As it turns out, he had recently returned not from surgery but from proton therapy at Loma Linda—something which initially surprised me. Prior to our conversation, I had done significant research on treatment options (including HIFU treatment in Canada or Germany) and consulted with several doctors. None of this research and consultation brought proton therapy to my attention. The doctor in Houston referred me to Bob Marckini’s book “You Can Beat Prostate Cancer and You Don’t Need Surgery to Do It” which has been a great resource on several levels. Regardless of what option you choose, if you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you should read this book prior to making your final decision.

Brilliant job, I referred this book to a close friend of mine. Thank you for creating this one, from one author to another author. My name is Gene Geter.

Prostate Cancer. Those two words strike fear, dread, and panic in a man’s heart, cutting to the soul and psyche of any man over the age of 45. While the diagnosis of prostate cancer is not a death sentence and has a very high rate of cure, the standard treatment radical prostectomy has some serious side effects without any guarantee of a cure. Incontinence, rectal wall damage, infection, and impotence are some of the very real permanent consequences of this “gold standard” procedure. You Can Beat Prostate Cancer and You Don’t Need Surgery to Do It offers readers information and hope for a new treatment protocol for prostate cancer – Proton Beam Therapy.

Robert Marckini, author and prostate cancer survivor, has created an informative, well researched discussion of an alternative treatment format for prostate cancer. Proton Beam Therapy, a form of external beam radiation therapy, uses proton beams rather than photon beams to provide more localized treatment of the tumor site. Its advantage over standard X-ray/photon radiation is the significantly diminished exposure of healthy tissue to radiation. Proton beams can be so precisely aimed that it delivers more radiation to the tumor site with little or no “collateral” damage to surrounding tissue and organs. This significantly diminishes possible side effects and quality of life issues faced by those who undergo other treatment options.
In a single, easy to use, easy to read format is the type of information that Marckini wished had been available to him at his diagnosis. Compared to other texts on the topic, none of them come close to being as all-inclusive in providing solid information, checklists, guidelines, and a frank discussion of treatment option advantages and disadvantages. Marckini’s You Can Beat Prostate Cancer and You Don’t Need Surgery to Do It is the new “gold standard” in information available to men at risk or recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. This is one book that definitely should be in every man’s library collection.

It is extremly important that all men education themselves on prostate cancer and all possible treatments , even those who do not have cancer. You will learn more about prostate cancer in Bob Marckini's book then you will learn in any Urologist's office.The information in this book could save your life or at least your life style. Bob's personal experience with prostate cancer and his treatment with Proton Beam Therapy is a must read for all men and their wives so please order the book and read it like your life depends upon it because it might. I am a prostate cancer survior becasue of the Lord's Blessing and Proton Beam Therapy at Loma Linda,Ca. I wish this book would have been available when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I would not have been as anxious and scared.Thank God I learned of Proton Beam Therapy from a cancer friend and chose it over surgery for my treatment. I am buying Bob's book and giving it to men with cancer for their information because they will not it this vital information from their Doctors. The first treatment you get for prostate cancer will determine your success or failure of combating the cancer which makes the information in Bob's book so critial. Robert E. Glombowski

I have never read a book so intently in my life! It was like reliving 2004 all over again; from the devastating news of my husband's prostate cancer diagnosis and our journey through the struggles of determining the best treatment option; to the discovery of proton radiation therapy and our 2-month medical vacation! Loma Linda University Medical Center provided us (their "guests") the most professional and compassionate medical treatment. Bob Marckini has done a marvelous job in writing "his story", and arousing the awareness of proton therapy currently being used in the treatment of many types of cancer and other diseases. Thank you Bob, for sharing your personal research and information on this "platinum standard" medical treatment that our own physicians won't share. You have given a great gift to mankind...and the world. Kris Brock-Jones

Six Stars Rating- Shortly after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2004,I became totally engaged in a research journey much like Bob Marckini describes in this outstanding book. It was during this journey that I came upon a rather profound observation by Dr Judd Moul (a renown cancer authority at Walter Reed Army Medical Center). Dr Moul stated that "there is still an ongoing need for quality and up to date educational materials that patients can understand." Bob Marckini's book is a great contribution toward satisfaction of this "ongoing need." IT SHOULD BECOME REQUIRED READING FOR ALL ADULT MALES, THEIR SPOUSES, AND SIGNIFICANT OTHERS. Congratulations Bob!!! You have already accomplished much and this new work is certain to continue helping others in the future. Wm.C.(Bill)Rousse, Brig Gen, US Army(ret) Fletcher, N.C.

SIX STAR ****** HIGHEST RATING What a "Quality of Life-Saver". Bob Marckini's book has been done very professionally, demonstrates incredible research and presents a realistic examination of all the Prostate Cancer treatments FROM THE PATIENT'S POINT OF VIEW. I spent countless hours doing research on treatments - this book would have saved me a great deal of time - but most important - it would have given me piece of mind in proceeding with my investigation and decision process in selecting Proton Therapy. Two of my "new acquaintances" diagnosed with PC were soon convinced for Proton after reading Bob's book. I wish this book would be available to every man diagnosed with prostate cancer. Charles F Cook The Villages, Florida

This book is a wonderful resource for newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients and will hopefully be a wake up call to them to at least learn about Proton Therapy and consider whether or not it is a viable treatment option for them. While this book is very oriented to the proton treatment that Bob Marckini received at Loma Linda in 2000, I believe it gives a very realistic, fair and unbiased discussion of each type of prostate cancer treatment, including the advantages and disadvantages (i.e., potential for negative side effects). It also has some valuable resource information in the book's Appendix. If this book had been available to me when I started my exhaustive research to determine the best treatment option for me, it would have saved me an enormous amount of time, stress and great anxiety, at one of the most challenging times in my life.

This book belongs in every man's research library! After having been diagnosed with Prostate cancer, then trying to sift through the multitude of options, I bought "You can beat prostate cancer". It was key in helping me make my decision for Proton treatment. The more men and families that read this book the easier life will be for them. While this is a man's decision, the family needs to be in the information loop also. Robert has done all of the research and put it in words even I could understand. The book surely helped me answer questions from my wife and children. I also felt "armed" when I saw my radiologist. The fear of the information from him was zero after reading "You can beat Prostate cancer". Every family should have a copy of this book in their library, whether or not Prostate cancer has appeared. It is good information to have. John Cadigan Soon to be "Brother"

I like to say "it isn't the fall the kills you, it's the sudden stop". Prostate cancer (PCa) is just like that. You have no symptoms and one day you simply receive the bad news - like the sudden stop. Most men know nothing about PCa. Having gone through all of this, I wish I would have had a resource as great as Bob Marckini's book! He walks you through the period of discovery, the psycho-social aspects, and the research and evaluation for treatment. He is openly honest and forthright about the nuances of what to expect. He gives you hope and he gives you the facts. In a word - Bob nailed it.

WOW !! Ruth Ann picked up the book first and read it in two settings. She said she laughed, she cried, and she felt your in feelings. I finally was able to get the book on Sunday and I could not stop reading it. I finished last night. Your experiences are priceless and need to be shared. Thank you for this book. You have taken the unknown and the feared and made us aware and less frightened of prostate cancer and the process. More than half our anxieties are from lack of knowledge. Congratulations on an outstanding book.

I read lots of books, handouts, and internet information before deciding how to treat my prostate cancer. Bob's book rolls all that I read, plus much more, into one easy-to-understand account. Had it been available during my deliberations, my decision-making process would have been much shorter and easier. But, this book is not only a boon to those already diagnosed with prostate cancer, it is a valuable resource for those not yet afflicted. It tells every man how to monitor his prostate health so that cancer is detected at its earliest, most curable stage.

Not to beat a dead horse, but it is true, this book really IS a MUST READ. It's a MUST read by every woman whose spouse or significant other has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. It is a well written narrative and an easy read. (For those women who delight in shopping for bargains, you won’t find a better one anywhere.) Bob Marckini provides some insights into what a man goes through--and is feeling--that every woman needs to know.

Bob Marckini has written a book on prostate cancer that belongs in every man's library and is a must read for anyone who has been diagonsed with prostate cancer. The book presents a case study that is clear, well documented and quite compelling. I have read several other books on the subject, all written by physicians - here is one from a prostate cancer survivor. Clearly Bob is a proponent of the proton beam treatment at Loma Linda University Medical Center (as am I), but then it's nice to hear from a believer. During my research I couldn't find any books, written by prostate cancer survivors, extolling the merits of any of the other treatment options.

I received this book before lunch, started reading it and couldn't put it down..finished at 4 p.m. My husband and I went through the same frustrations that Bob describes. How I wish we had had this book when my husband was diagnosed. We eventually went to Loma Linda for the proton treatments and have never regreted that decision. Having met Bob at one of the Wednesday evening support groups made this even more personal for me. This book is a must for wives and significant other females in a man's life...it is so informative, and so positive at one of the most stressful times in a couples life. We fully believe that there is life after prostate cancer with proper treatment when found early and proton is the way to go! The side effects of all other forms of treatment did not look good to us! Thank you, Bob, for sharing all your research with us. We will lend this book to all in our area who are looking for the best prostate cancer treatment possible.

Lieber deutschsprachiger Leser, mein sehr geschaetzter, lieber Freund und Moderator der Patientenorganisation "Brotherhood of the Balloon - BOB" (www.protonbob.com) hat sich die unglaubliche Muehe gemacht und in dem vorliegenden Buch ALLES zusammengetragen, was ein Patient (und seine Partnerin - seine Familie) wissen muss, wenn er mit der Nachricht eines bestehenden Prostata-Karzinoms konfrontiert wird. Dies muß nicht zwangslaeufig das Ende sein, sondern kann zum Beginn eines neuen Lebens werden. Wie man das fuer sich realisiert, ist in diesem wunderbaren Buch nachzulesen. Es sollte in jedem Buecherschrank stehen! Das Buch ist sehr preiswert zu haben und ein nennenswerter Betrag des Buchpreises fliesst ein zur weiteren Protonentherapie-Forschung in den James-Slater-Chair an der LLUMC (www.llu.edu/proton) und kommt somit allen zukuenftigen Patienten (nicht nur mit Prostata-Krebs) zugute. Dies allein ist ein guter Grund zum Kauf des Buches, z.B. auch als ein gutes Geschenk fuer Freunde und Bekannte, insbesondere auch Aerzte(!). Uebersetzungen in mehrere Sprachen sind bereits begonnen worden, worum auch ich mich bemuehen werde. Lieber Bob, vielen Dank fuer dieses grossartige, umfassende und objektive Buch, dass die Therapie-Entscheidung vieler Patienten zu ihrem Wohle beeinflussen wird! OMR Priv.-Doz. Dr. med. habil. Arnd Hallmeyer Berlin, Deutschland, PCa-Patient in Loma Linda 2000/2001, PSA 436,0 (!) - heute (2007) PSA 0,1 (und Gast-Professor an der Loma Linda University) Kontakt: protonentherapie@aol.de

Bob Marckini has provided a book that is must reading for anyone who has cancer, not just prostate cancer. His experiences in dealing with the complexities of choosing a treatment for prostate cancer provide a roadmap for the victims or families involved with this dreaded killer. Mr. Marckini provides many of the needed facts to make an intelligent, informed decision in selecting a treatment, plus references to additional sources. As a prostate cancer patient myself, I highly endorse his work. It was instrumental in my decision to have Proton Beam Therapy for my cancer.
Proton Beam Therapy as a treatment modality is NOT widely recognized as a viable option in treating cancer, and yet Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda, California has treated over 12,000 cancer patients using the Proton Beam since 1990, and over half of these were for prostate cancer! This means that more than 4,000 patients were victims of other forms of cancer. There are now four other major medical institutions (Centers of Excellence) in the U.S. that offer this high precision, highly advanced form of radiation therapy, but the fact that there are only a few such centers does NOT mean that Proton Beam Therapy should be ignored in a search for a treatment for any form of cancer. Mr. Marckini’s book explains why.

This book is a great comfort to anyone diagnosed with prostate cancer. It gives hope through a myriad of facts and real life experience. It reassures the reader that there is, indeed, a bright light at the end of the scary cancer tunnel. The author provides a wonderful service by sharing cogent insights on a frightening topic. He and his book deserve high praise.