Stillwater Cancer Center is the first and only facility in Oklahoma to treat patients with an advanced radiation therapy system that combines real-time MRI imaging with precision radiation delivery. Today, that investment is transforming lives across the state, with eligible prostate cancer patients now completing treatment in just five visits, compared to the traditional 40.
For Warren Dowler, a farmer near Newkirk, that difference meant everything.
“Never let the grass grow under your feet,” Dowler says—a motto that’s carried him through life and work on his farm.
During a routine health check, a simple blood test revealed he had an elevated PSA, or prostate-specific antigen. He did the recommended follow-up testing, which led to a prostate cancer diagnosis.
“There were absolutely no symptoms. I had no idea I had it,” Dowler said. “I highly recommend everybody get tested at least once a year. It made all the difference for me.”
His priority became finding a treatment that would allow him to return quickly to his farm and family. The nearest options were in Wichita or Stillwater. Dowler chose the shortest drive, which was still a 3-hour round-trip. He was pleasantly surprised to learn that Stillwater Cancer Center was home to the latest in radiation technology.
“Coming here, I’ve gotten the best of all scenarios from the time I was diagnosed. It’s saved a lot of time for me. I have friends that have prostate cancer and they’re struggling. We caught it earlier, and we dealt with it,” Dowler said.
Dowler’s care team will continue to monitor his health, but he is back on his farm and grateful to be at the end of treatment.
Physicians say his story reflects the future of cancer care.
“With image guidance and adaptive planning, we’ve been able to reduce treatment of prostate cancer from the traditional 40 fractions to just five,” said Dr. Nathan Uy, radiation oncologist at Stillwater Cancer Center. “This is the future of cancer treatment—fewer visits, safer treatment and better outcomes for patients.”
The Elekta Unity is an MR-Linac that allows the care team to see the tumor and surrounding tissue with clarity during each treatment, ensuring radiation is delivered exactly where it’s needed while sparing healthy tissue.
“I came here because of the MR-Linac,” said Michael Chacko, medical physicist at Stillwater Cancer Center. “I had been working at the Oklahoma Proton Center for nine years, but I wanted to treat patients with the best tools available. This machine is the future of cancer treatment. I couldn’t miss an opportunity to be a part of that.”
Today, the MR-Linac is being used to treat prostate, rectal, lung and brain cancers, with the capability to expand to spine, abdominal and pelvic cancers. Stillwater Cancer Center manages the care of more than 2,200 new oncology and hematology patients annually, providing advanced cancer treatment close to home for Oklahomans.
“There’s an impulse to assume you need to go somewhere bigger to receive cancer treatment, but people don’t need to do that around here,” Dr. Uy said. “We have the expertise and the tools to treat almost everything. Our size makes it an intimate experience. We can get to know the patients better and have continuity in the care team.”
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on one of the most common cancers among men and the importance of early detection. Prostate cancer often develops silently, without noticeable symptoms in its early stages, which makes proactive screening especially important. Knowing your PSA number gives you and your healthcare provider valuable insight into your prostate health, helping catch potential problems early—when treatment is most effective.
