CBS New York – Proton Therapy Helps Change Outcome for New York Cancer Patient
The New York Proton Center (NYPC) was recently featured on CBS New York, highlighting the transformative impact of proton therapy for lung cancer patients.
In the segment, Marie Francillion shares her journey from diagnosis to thriving as a long-term survivor. After being diagnosed with lung cancer that had widely spread to over a dozen of her lymph nodes, Marie received targeted drug therapy at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, followed by proton therapy at NYPC.
“Fewer side effects, better preservation of quality of life,” said Dr. Charles B. Simone II, Chief Medical Officer at NYPC. “Here, we can send the radiation directly to the tumor, and then all the radiation gets deposited in the tumor. So all the normal tissues beyond that area are completely protected.”
Since completing treatment in 2022, Marie has marked major milestones: celebrating her daughter’s wedding, welcoming two grandchildren, and remaining cancer free.
Her daughter, Rachelle, a nurse, observed the difference proton therapy made. “You would never know my mom was receiving radiation,” she said. “She was not tired. She was herself, still cooking. You would never know. So it’s so amazing to see how far radiation has come.”
Marie now sees Dr. Simone every three months with no signs of cancer recurrence. At 65, she continues to celebrate the gift of more time, more memories, and the opportunity to spread hope to others facing lung cancer.
Link to CBS New York story: cbsnews.com/newyork/news/proton-therapy-lung-cancer-patient-nyc/
