When Chad Covey was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 65, he decided to treat it with one of Catawba Valley Medical Center’s most innovative procedures: High Dose Radiation (HDR) therapy. HDT therapy has been around for years, but the newest generation of HDR equipment has enabled CVMC’s Radiation Oncology Center to apply it new ways – including highly successful prostate cancer treatment. Here’s Chad’s story:

“I was treated for prostate cancer about a year ago. After considering all the treatment options that were explained to me, I thought that HDR brachytherapy was probably the best fit for me. And as it turned out, I have no regrets.

“My PSA was 4.6 before they did the biopsy. About three months after my second treatment I had it tested again, and it was down to 1.66. A few months later, it was down to 1.4, and six months after that it was down to 0.9. Once it gets under 1.0, the chances of having the prostate cancer return are pretty slim. I was real pleased with that, and of course, my wife was, too.

“I chose HDR therapy because I didn’t want prolonged external radiation. HDR therapy is much more focused. Because of my age, a whole range of choices was available to me. HDR therapy seemed a better choice than doing the most radical thing and having it taken out, because that would lead to the most after-effects. I still have some after-effects, but they are not what they might have been from other treatments.

“I was exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam, so I filed a claim with the Veterans Administration because Agent Orange is recognized by them as a presumptive cause of prostate cancer. It took a while to get all the paperwork through, but they did approve the claim. I think it’s important for other veterans to know that this resource is available to them.

“The people at the Radiation Oncology Center were wonderful. The treatment I received there was great. We had a lot of confidence in our doctors and the staff. Whenever I go back to follow up, my nurse, Debbie, has been there, and she runs up to me and gives me a big hug. It’s really a very warm group of people.”

For more information about HDR therapy or CVMC’s Radiation Oncology center, call 828/326-3856.