COMPPARE stands for “A Prospective COMparative Study of Outcomes with Proton and Photon RAdiation in
PRostate CancEr (COMPPARE).” This study, which is funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Institute (PCORI) and approved by the University of Florida Institutional Review Board, will compare the
quality of life, side effects, and cure rates for prostate cancer patients treated with proton therapy or photon
therapy.
We will ask 3000 men between the ages of 30-85 across the US who will be treated with either protons or
photons to participate in COMPPARE. Proton therapy patients can choose to participate in a randomized trial
that will evaluate whether quality of life, side effects, and prostate cancer cure rates differ between patients
receiving the standard therapy versus a shorter therapy. For this study, UVA is participating as a photon
therapy treatment site only
Participants will answer brief surveys regarding treatment choice, quality of life, and side effects for at least 3
years. Clinic follow ups will occur 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18months, and then annually after
treatment completion.
Over the first 3 years of the study, participants can receive up to $250 in $50 increments for completing surveys.