Customer Reviews

You Can Beat Prostate Cancer

5 star:		(91)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

After the intial blow of "the news", what's next? Prostate cancer aims for all of us males. For some it will be a long time. For others (such as myself) it will be too soon. Tens of thousands of males every year repeatedly ask the question of their doctors and friends: "What would you do?" -- Listen to what they tell you, but first read Bob Marckini's book so that you know what to expect and how you might predict their answer. The amount of disinformation out there is amazing. Just now the Internet is coming alive with great information, but it takes much time to sort it out. Bob Marckini has done that. And he provided valuable feedback from actual patients (try getting that from your urologist)in addition to intriguing web sites world-wide. New literature is appearing daily...he takes you there. Where are the last approaches being done? You don't want to settle for the last doctor in the graduating class, do you? Find out how to listen to your doctor, your wife, your friends and others in this prostate area. If you value the quality of your life, a dry pair of pants, and a reliable "woody" from time to time, give this book a read. Bob Marckini gives us a present in this time-saving primer on how to beat prostate cancer without surgery!

After my father was diagnosed with prostate cancer, I began researching for best treatment. In the process I have thus far purchased and read five books on the subject and read many of the latest articles and research summaries from the internet. As with other reviewers below, I give Robert Marchini's book high marks. Unlike other books, it is written from the patients point of view and takes the readers through the process that led him to choose proton therapy as the best treatment option. He writes very sympathetically and it is really reassuring to learn about the similar struggles that prostate cancer patients commonly go through. This is an excellent book from which I gleaned invaluable insights, especially as it relates to proton radiation therapy.

My only reservation about the usefulness of the book is that it is based on insights that were arrived at in the year 2000 before some important developments in treatment options. The most important of these is, I believe, the the introduction of robotic assisted prostactemies that are much less invasive form of surgery that results in less loss of blood and faster recovery. Mr. Marchini doesn't really discuss this option. The other reservation that I have is lack of evaluation of Intensity-modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) which was very new when Mr. Marckini was making his decision some seven years ago. Now that we have more data available, we are in a position to having to choose between proton radiation and IMRT. It is not yet clear to me which one might be better today.

Nevertheless, I truly am grateful to Mr Marchini for introducing me to the value of proton therapy as a viable option.

Robert Marckini is a prostate cancer survivor. Before his treatment, he thoroughly researched all aspects of prostate cancer and its treatment. Mr. Marckini explains prostate cancer and the different types of treatment available in a very easy to understand format. All aspects of prostate cancer are included: the methods used to establish the diagnosis, grading of the severity, different available methods of treatment, and the pros and cons of the different treatments. Resources and contact numbers are included. Most men don't understand all of the choices they have regarding treatment so they leave the treatment choice up to their doctor. With this informative book, a newly diagnosed prostate cancer patient can become proactive and make an informed decision as to what treatment choice is best for him. This is a "Must Read" for all men.
Robert Hillis, MD

My (then 60 year old) husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer in June of 2005 (Gleason score 8- PSA 114) by a urologist recommended to us by our general practioner. We were lucky that this urologist used at least a 12 sample (honestly at this time can't remember if it was more, but not less) biopsy needle, because we knew nothing about the standards for this procedure at that point. This standard is pointed out very well in Mr. Marckini's book. As with all cancer diagnoses, we were devastated. In a couple of months, we were scheduled to take a trip of a life-time to England and on to China. With assurances from the urologist (and some pills to help with the swelling in the prostate so my husband could pass urine easier and a hormone deprivation implant-chemical castration) we continued with our plans for the trip and tackled the questions concerning further treatment when we got back.

Since this is suppose to be a book review and not a history of my husband's prostate cancer, I'll skip all the rest of the details of his treatment and get right to the subject. I did a tremendous amount of research on the web and read several books, including the one given to me by the urologist and written by the American Cancer Society. I have had a lot of experience with research in general and a few medical cases and some terminology, but I am not medically trained. Nevertheless, I plowed through everything I could get my hands on and sometimes grasped the microbiology and sometimes did not. In the meantime, the urologist informed us he didn't feel surgery was an option for my husband. He "surmised" the cancer had already leaked from the prostate into surrounding lymph nodes and surgery would be useless, even though he did not have concrete evidence of such. Unbeknownst to us at the time, this was a "Godsend." Understand this, urologist believe surgery is the "gold standard" whether it be by his hands or with the help of a robot, radiologist believe radiation is the "gold standard" whether that be seed implants or IMRT (intensity modulated radiation) and unfortunately, the oncologist are essentially left out of the picture because there are no "drugs" to potentially CURE prostate cancer.

Because I was not satisfied with the only treatment option the urologist supported (hormone deprivation), I continued my search. That was when I found Proton therapy.

At the time my husband underwent Proton therapy at Loma Linda, Mr. Marckini's book was not published. Oh, how I wish it had been available when I first started my research. I actually read Mr. Marckini's book a couple of months ago, long after my husband's treatment was complete, treatment that his urologist neither understood or was happy about him receiving.

Here's the thing about Mr. Marckini's book and what sets it apart from all others and why I wish it would have been available at the beginning of my research. It is not only complete as far as information about what is available in the medical community for treatment of prostate cancer, but it is written in a down to earth style with humor and compassion so that every man and woman can understand it and identify with it. If you are not a nuclear scientist, a doctor or other scientist nor medically trained, you will probably not find the other books easy to read and at the very least they are dry. Mr. Marckini's book is for the common man and their wives. It puts a "human" face on the disease one in six men will face in their lifetime and helps the reader to understand that it's not only OK to discuss the many aspects of their disease and it's treatments, but it's healthy for them, especially when spiced with a little humor.

One more note. I take exception with DS Nash who wrote a July 7, 2007 review of Mr. Marckini's book, saying she laments that he did not cover robotic assisted surgery in his book and that it was "less invasive" and an "important" development. I believe she has missed the point. It's still surgery and with surgery all kinds of things can go wrong. One little bump of the robotic arm, for example, could cut through a man's urethea (which runs through the prostate) and/or the seminal vessles. She also laments no discussion of IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy), although Mr. Marckini does cover photon radiation of which IMRT is a type. Again, she misses the point. "Photon" radiation is all the same generally, whether it is through seed implants (Brachytherapy) or through IMRT.

Read Mr. Marckini's book before you do anything else about your diagnosis of prostate cancer. If you are a certain age, read it now before you become the one in six who will develop prostate cancer. It will help you immensely if you are diagnosed.

PS: My husband is doing very well. PSA at .01

As a veteran of 34 years in nuclear power and a mechanical engineer I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Markini's book. His explanations written in common language were clear, concise, and easily understood. My wife is a Registered Nurse and she enjoyed the book, too. She commented how his explanations of the nuclear side of things was a lot clearer than mine ever were. He makes points that other books and publications miss. For instance, when a surgeon states an incontinence rate he/she does not count wetness due to laughing or sneezing. I was (still am) leery of gamma radiation treatment having been through many annual requals and incident reviews for radiation exposure but when I learned of proton beam radiation and could understand the physics, I was sold!!

After devouring Mr. Marckini's book, re-reviewing all the options (hopefully there is not another one lurking out there I have not found), careful consideration, and lots and lots of prayer, I decided Proton Thereapy for treatment of my Prostate Cancer. Therefore, I canceled my Radical Prostatectomy scheduled for October 25, 2007.

Prior to learning of Proton Beam Therapy on September 22, 2007 from a High School buddy who works at Loma Linda, I thought I had researched all available options thoroughly and decided that surgery was the best option for me. After that decision I checked into the various methods to perform the surgery and the records of the doctors. That is why I had scheduled surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. Surgeons there have successfully performed thousands of the surgeries using the DaVinci II robotic machine. They are the best in the Philadelphia area.

However, on September 22, 2007, I found out from my friend who is a trained surgeon and practices in California that I had missed an available treatment option - Proton Therapy. Imagine that - a trained surgeon recommending proton beam radiation therapy. Since that time I have done significant investigation into this treatment option and believe that Proton Therapy is the best alternative for me.

The treatment has been in use for over 15 years and many thousands of men have been successfully treated. It seems amazing to me that Proton Therapy is virtually ignored in the various brochures I received from the doctors (surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists) I spoke with during my research and most information retrieved with internet searches until I started using the word Proton in the search. There are currently only five operating Proton treatment centers in the US. Five more are under construction.

This is a great book - You Can Beat Prostate Cancer, And You Don't Need Surgery To Do It by Robert Marckini. And if you write the author, his E-mail is in the book - He calls you back THAT DAY

I, also, learned that doctors although very knowledgeable in their field of specialization have very limited knowledge about the entire field of medicine Their advice has to be weighed according to their specialty

A medical oncologist at Christiana told me Proton Beams are not used to treat prostate cancer 65% of the 11,000 patients that have received proton treatment at Loma Linda University Medical Center were prostate cancer patients. Go to www.protons.com , the official Loma Linda site, to verify this and learn more about proton treatment

A surgeon at U Penn told me the side effects for Proton treatment are the same as regular radiation treatments. Go to www.protonbob.com , and click on the link to differences between proton and other treatments. You will see a publication called Oncolink which is a U Penn publication This paper clearly shows reduced side effects. Proton BOB is a support group. Their site has a lot of interesting stuff!!!!

Now both these men are great doctors but their knowledge is not all inclusive. They know their field and believe their treatments are the best for most people. They are amongst the many that have not yet discovered Proton treatment

This book pushed me to the edge of deciding to go for Proton Thereapy. What pushed me over was thefact that U Penn is building a proton treatment in the new Abrahamson Cancer Center. Certainly, U Penn would not spend well over $100 million on this technology if it was not a proven and effective treatment option. There are many articles published by U Penn personnel espousing the benefits of Proton Treatment.

I recommend that you remember the term Proton Treatment. And should you be diagnosed with a cancer, stay independent and make your own decision. Check out proton beam treatment for yourself.

The authors experience are almost ten years old but my recent visits to Loma Linda University Medical Center have found his statements about the people, places and events still accurate. There are new technologies and adaptations of old giving improved results bit still none is as good as proton Beam Therapy. When I have spoken with the author he is up on all the latest news and treatment methods and can discuss them fairly. Perhaps he should consider a sequel - "Ten Years After and Life Has Never Been Better,"
You Can Beat Prostate Cancer

I was fortunately diagnosed with prostate cancer relaltively early but found my Gleason score of 7/8 was rather high, which did not allow me to 'wait and see'. I needed to make my decision quickly and this book helped me do it. This is the most informed book I read thus far on prostate cancer - I've read & researched lots! Bob Marckini did his homework and I believe his engineering background and personal experience with his own prostate cancer helped him to really research and understand this disease. Every man should read this book before they decide on their treatment. Knowledge is power and Bob gives you the objective facts on the different treatments - the positives and the negatives of each. Don't leave the decision to your doctor, do you own homework...

What a great gift for all fathers on father's day. I will do proton treatment at Loma Linda, Ca no later than Sept 2007, sooner if my insure covers me.

I have had three biopsies at excellent institutions and have been diagnosed as 1/ "mild slow growing prostate cancer 2/ aggressive life threatening gleason 8 cancer and 3/ totally cancer free. The only reason I still have my senses and my prostate is because of this book and this man. While not a doctor, Bob Marckini brings the main current thinking on prostate cancer to Main Street and advises us, stricken with a diagnosis of prostate cancer, of OUR options and not just of those who practice medicine in the field.Bob in no way discredits the medical field but suggests one treatment does not fill all needs. He helps us to decide which road to advance down and when to make the turns. To address your diagnosis of prostate cancer without this book is like trying to put Ikea furniture together with out the instructions.......buy it and if it doesn't help you write me for a refund.............eamonn keegan

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 he 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 or 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 on treatment. It has been a real help to me.

Reading this book caused a transformation for me in how I viewed treatment choices for prostate cancer.
I won't be so bold as to tell all those facing a treatment choice about prostate cancer that everyone is a candidate for proton beam therapy. But a very large number would benefit. Prostate cancer is different than some other cancers in that there are several treatment choices one can make. Since knowledge of proton beam therapy is nowhere near as wide as it should be, reading this book by Bob Marckini is the best way to learn about it. Each of us who faces this disease, as well as family members, deserves to be empowered to gain this knowledge!

If I had not read the book, and instead followed what my urologist recommended, I would have had surgery. For me, this was already scheduled- I had the date! Fortunately I learned of this book and had the strength to read it, digest it, follow suggestions to do personal due diligence (questions to ask doctors, former patients, prospective patients), and ultimately I made up my mind to have a consultation at the proton treatment center- and to go forward. During my period of "diligence" I cancelled the date being held for my surgery, knowing I could always get a new date later, if that's what I chose. Although at one time I thought I'd not be able to really decide- and might need to flip a coin- after my proton consultation there was a calm that came over me and I moved 100% to wanting to follow the proton treatment route. Were it not for Bob Marckini, I would probably have never known about the excellent alternative it offered.

The information is invaluable. Others writing reviews, and the summary of the book tell you what's included, so I won't try to repeat a lot of those details. What I will reiterate, since it goes against a lot of past beliefs, is that what a doctor says is "true". There is no true. There are definitely valid choices, some better, some worse, and each of us has to make up our own mind. After you read this book you will have enough knowledge to be on the road to sorting out what it is you want to do. My advice is to challenge all treatments and claims in all books and recommendations (those here as well). But you cannot do this without reading this book.

Mr. Marckini wrote mostly about his and others' experience at Loma Linda- the proton treatment center that's treated over 7,000 prostate cancer patients since 1990, and the obvious choice for the time that he was making his decision. I chose to be treated at a center that had been open for only about a year, University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute in Jacksonville, Florida. Some of the methods are slightly different, and I was
extremely pleased that I chose that facility (besides being new and staffed well, it was a lot closer geographically).

Even though my treatment was completed in late 2007, I continue to refer to the book. I did so just today- as I wanted to compare some of my post-treatment PSA results to those of the author. He includes a lot of his own very personal history in the book. So this is more than just a theoretical discussion- it's a true medical case history, including a chart of his PSA progression.

This outstanding book brought back many memories for me. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2002 and by luck and happenstance stumbled upon proton beam therapy at Loma Linda University Medical Center - where the author ended up after exhaustive research. I completed proton treatment at Loma Linda and have been cancer free ever since. I wish I'd had access to this book before I made my treatment choice. I would have saved a lot of time and had the benefit of an unbiased, informative analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of each type of prostate cancer treatment. I would not have had to depend on luck to make what turned out to be one of the most important decisions of my life. In addition to Marckini's easy-to-read narrative, the valuable reference materials in the six appendices of the book alone are worth the purchase price. This book is "must reading" for all men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer, as well as their families.