Phil Thompson, prostate cancer survivor

Phil Thompson poses in IU Health Proton Therapy Center's first treatment room, which is a fixed-beam line. Phil was among the first group of men treated for prostate cancer at center.

"I helped build the machine that saved my life." -- Phil Thompson

Prostate cancer diagnosed in 2004 at 64 years old with a Gleason score of 6 and PSA of 2.7. At last check up, PSA of .017.

When Phil was first diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2004, he was in shock. "It was such a dark, negative kind of day," he recalls. "Just the C–word is frightening to anyone." But in an unusual twist, Phil already knew about proton therapy, powered by a cyclotron, the same machine he helped build when he worked for the Indiana University Cyclotron Facility (IUCF) in the 1970s.

Phil also found it difficult to choose among the many prostate cancer treatment options available. His urologist handed him a 100-page book explaining his treatment options: total prostectemy (or surgery), seed implants, and a combination of seed implants and standard radiation. "You go away and decide how you want to be treated," says Phil.

Because Phil was only somewhat familiar with proton therapy, he did further research on the Web while considering treatment options. He then got in touch with MPRI's medical director, Dr. Allan Thornton. After speaking with Dr. Thornton and his urologist, Phil made the decision to choose proton therapy. A few months later, he started his eight-week course of treatment at MPRI.

Although he was anxious when he arrived for treatment, Phil immediately began to feel at ease. "Dr. Thornton is a leading doctor in his field," he says. "He can give you so much confidence and hope." Phil also found the rest of the staff to be "phenomenal...I can't give them enough accolades."

And the facility itself? "It doesn't feel like a medical facility," he says. "It is so warm and friendly. It just makes you feel relaxed." During his 20 to 25 minutes of total treatment time each day, Phil listened to music, either '60s tunes or country. And as the days went on, he formed close bonds with the staff members.

"When you go out there every day for 44 days straight, you really get to know them," he says. "That last day – you want to grab them all, hug them, and thank them for taking such exceptional care with you. They were the light at the end of the tunnel."

After being treated with proton therapy at MPRI, he has no signs of cancer to date. "I am a survivor," he says. "My PSA is zero, and I have no side effects."

Now that he has passed through the dark tunnel and come out the other side, Phil passes on the compassion and kindness he received at MPRI in a number of ways.

He frequently makes presentations about proton therapy. "Sometimes people just go away and accept the inevitable," he says, "without knowing that they could be possible candidates for proton therapy. There are thousands out there who could use it in the Bloomington area alone."

Phil was so inspired by the patients and work being done at MPRI, he now organizes housing and social activities through HoosiersCare for patients and families who need a place to stay during treatment.

He also encourages everyone who is faced with a cancer diagnosis to look into all possible treatment options. “Proton therapy cured my prostate cancer, but it can also be highly effective for other cancers,” says Phil. “Don’t be afraid to seek out second or third opinions when making medical decisions. Take control of your health and your healthcare decisions.”

Phil Thompson built the machine that saved his life. And now he is building bridges to others. "If you have uncles, dads, or brothers with prostate cancer, I would highly recommend that they explore proton therapy as a treatment option," he says. "I don't know what kind of adjectives to use to truly explain my passion for the fact that proton therapy is phenomenal."