Participating in a cancer research study is a deeply personal decision—one that requires courage, commitment, and trust. For patients with prostate cancer, that decision can shape the future of care for generations to come. The COMPPARE study (A Prospective COMparative Study of Outcomes with Proton and Photon RAdiation in Prostate CancEr) has been an excellent example of how individual contributions have driven groundbreaking research.
As we approach our Primary Completion Date (PCD) on February 15, 2026, COMPPARE’s focus on disease control, patient-reported quality of life, and physician-assessed side effects (among more than 2,300 participants across 51 institutions nationwide) makes your voice a core part of the evidence we will analyze.
This matters. According to the American Cancer Society, just over 313,500 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in 2025, with about 35,770 deaths resulting from the disease, making it one of the most-diagnosed cancers among men. As survival rates increase, our attention must turn to treatment quality, long-term side effects, and quality of life—areas that can only be understood through direct patient input.
COMPPARE has become a national model for inclusive, patient-centered research, especially through its strong minority enrollment. Its results may influence how physicians counsel patients, how treatment is delivered, and how insurers provide coverage for advanced options like proton therapy.
But the most critical insights will come years after treatment ends, as long-term follow-up is essential to understanding lasting effects and benefits. Every response, every survey, every follow-up matters. Patients aren’t just part of the study—they are the study.
To all who participate: Thank you. Your involvement is helping to shape a healthier, more informed future for all men facing prostate cancer.