SOMERSET, N.J., Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Most people know to encourage the women in their lives to stay current with breast cancer screening. But when a friend, partner, mother or colleague is diagnosed, a different question often follows: What treatment options should she ask about?

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, ProCure Proton Therapy Center is encouraging women and the people who support them to learn about proton therapy. If radiation is recommended, proton therapy may offer an alternative to conventional radiation for some patients, with the potential to reduce radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissue, including the heart and lungs.

Research published earlier this year in Breast Cancer Research gives patients another reason to ask about their options. Researchers examined 8,189 breast cancer patients who received radiation after surgery, including 501 treated with proton therapy. Lung changes visible on imaging occurred in 5.8% of the proton group compared with 10.0% of the conventional radiation group. Skin reactions were also less frequent in the proton group, at 13.4% compared to 20.9% in those who received conventional radiation therapy.

"For someone facing a breast cancer diagnosis, it can be hard to know which questions to ask," said Brian Chon, M.D., Medical Director at ProCure. "We want women and their families to know that, if radiation is part of the treatment plan, they can ask how each approach may affect nearby healthy tissue and whether proton therapy is right for them."

That question mattered to ProCure patient Liz. "I chose proton therapy because of the reduced risk to my heart and the reduced side effects," she said.

Another ProCure patient, Cathy, describes a similar journey after her breast cancer diagnosis. Already concerned about side effects of conventional radiation therapy, she undertook her own painstaking research process that ultimately led her to proton therapy.

"I was already a reader," she said, "but I read and researched until my eyes bled. Something had to be better than traditional radiation and not destroy healthy tissue to get to the bad cells."

ProCure encourages women to speak with their healthcare providers about when to schedule their next breast cancer screening. If a diagnosis occurs, patients can ask their care team to explain all appropriate treatment options, including how a proposed radiation plan may affect the heart, lungs and other healthy tissue.

About ProCure Proton Therapy Center
ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Somerset, NJ, opened in March 2012 as the tri-state region's first proton therapy facility, treating a range of cancers including diseases of the prostate, breast, lung, brain, head and neck, and gastrointestinal system, as well as sarcomas and many pediatric cases. Using the most advanced radiation treatment available, ProCure has treated more than 8,000 patients overall, including 750+ pediatric patients coming from the U.S. and abroad, and enables many cancer patients to choose a non-surgical treatment personalized to their medical needs and lifestyles, often with fewer side effects and less downtime—giving them more freedom to enjoy what matters most in their lives. For more information, visit ProCure.com.

Media Contact:
Sarah Ferrington, Marketing Manager
Phone: 732-357-2609
Email: Sarah.Ferrington@procure.com

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SOURCE ProCure Proton Therapy Center