Kenny Jacobs: From the Rockies to the Lone Star State for Proton Therapy

When Coloradan Kenny Jacobs learned he had stage 3C prostate cancer, he knew he had options when it came to treatment. After diagnosis, he began reaching out to family and close friends for opinions.

His brother immediately suggested he look into proton therapy, an advanced form of radiation that delivers precise, highly-targeted doses of radiation directly to the tumor while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues or vital organs.

In looking at potential proton centers, Kenny’s friend recommended Texas Center for Proton Therapy, where he had undergone treatment not too long ago as a prostate cancer patient.

"We did a lot of research trying to understand the differences between the types of radiation therapy. The benefits of proton therapy for prostate cancer stood out to me as the ideal option for my specific cancer,” says Kenny. “My wife has family in Texas, and once we learned we could stay in Dallas throughout my treatment plan, it made the decision very easy.” 

While receiving care, Kenny filled his time outside the center with playing music. Making the trek with Kenny from Colorado to Texas was his keyboard, guitar, and mandolin – all of which he enjoyed playing regularly before and after his proton therapy treatments.

“Of course there were days that I would be a little tired,” Kenny shares, but reiterates that each of his visits were always a positive experience and he thoroughly enjoyed his weekly appointments with his radiation oncologist, Andrew K. Lee, M.D., MPH, medical director at Texas Center for Proton Therapy.

When asked if he would recommend Texas Center for Proton Therapy to future patients seeking advanced radiation therapy, Kenny says without hesitation, “Absolutely, I highly recommend it. Not just for the medical treatment, but the overall experience and compassionate cancer care I received.”

Kenny returned home to Colorado shortly after finishing proton therapy and now he’s enjoying retirement alongside his wife. And what is next for him after completing treatment?

“Well, it just snowed here and we got a few inches, so I’m hoping to go hit the slopes,” says Kenny.

The information included in this testimonial is based on one patient’s unique experience and is not intended to represent all patient outcomes or expectations.