'NORMAL' PSA ISN'T ALWAYS 'OK,' NOTES PROTON THERAPY PROVIDER MARKING NATIONAL PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

SOMERSET, N.J., Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As ProCure Proton Therapy Center observes National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Edward Soffen, M.D., a prostate cancer specialist for more than 30 years, shares a caution from personal experience: a "normal" PSA doesn't always mean "OK," noting that his own diagnosis could have easily been missed.

"My PSA was actually a little lower than it had been six months earlier," said Dr. Soffen. "My urologist noted it was labile—meaning it fluctuates—and ordered a urine DNA test flagging a 50 percent malignancy risk."

A subsequent MRI and biopsy confirmed cancer.

Dr. Soffen said men with "normal" PSA, under 4 ng/mL, should still flag any fluctuation to their doctor and ask about tests that can catch cancers that PSA alone might miss.

After ruling out surgery for its higher complication risk, Dr. Soffen considered the numerous treatments he has personally performed—nearly every radiation technique for prostate cancer, including CyberKnife, radioactive seed implants, high dose rate brachytherapy, conventional radiation with IMRT, and protons. Each remains appropriate for the right patient and circumstances. But with his early diagnosis, Dr. Soffen chose protons, which precisely target the tumor while sparing the tissue around it.

"It was protons, hands down," he said. "There was no question I made the right choice."

With over 30 years of experience. 6 treatment options explored. 1 clear choice. 0 regrets.

"Dr. Soffen's experience reinforces what we want men to understand this month: PSA alone doesn't always tell the whole story," said Brian Chon, M.D., Medical Director at ProCure. "Trends over time, and testing when something looks slightly off, can mean the difference between an early diagnosis and a missed one."

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.

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SOURCE ProCure Proton Therapy Center