Army veteran’s battle and triumph over stage III prostate cancer

When Maurice Morton was diagnosed with cancer, he wasn’t shocked. For nearly his entire adult life, a nagging feeling had him questioning if someday he might develop cancer. Now, after living a relatively healthy life, 75-year-old Morton’s biggest surprise wasn’t that he had cancer, but rather the type of cancer he was diagnosed with: stage III prostate cancer.

Shortly after his diagnosis, Morton was given several treatment options, including a technique called Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) –– an advanced, non-invasive treatment that uses a powerful radiation beam to kill cancer cells while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. 

Although Morton considered all his options –– including surgery –– his desire to avoid anything invasive made the decision to choose IMRT an easy one. In March 2024, Morton met with David Bush, MD, a radiation oncologist at Loma Linda University Medical Center –Murrieta, to begin treating his prostate cancer, a process that ended up being so easy that Morton’s daily life wasn’t interrupted in the slightest. 

Before the diagnosis, Morton had never experienced any symptoms that indicated he had cancer. If it hadn’t been for a routine check-up at the VA office, Morton, an Army veteran, might never have known about his condition.

“I didn’t feel anything,” he said of his cancer discovery. “If they had not found elevated PSA levels during a routine check-up, I would have never known.”

PSA testing — used to measure prostate-specific antigen levels — has only been available since the early 1990s, but it has revolutionized the early detection of prostate cancer. Low PSA levels typically indicate a lower risk of prostate cancer, while elevated levels require additional testing to determine if cancer is present. In Morton’s case, his abnormally high PSA levels indicated the presence of prostate cancer, which was later confirmed through a biopsy. 

Read: My PSA is elevated — what happens next?

Fortunately for Morton, the cancer was contained to the prostate and had not metastasized or spread anywhere else in his body, making him an ideal candidate for the non-invasive IMRT treatment.

“I chose IMRT because I didn’t want to have an operation,” the Army vet said. “I didn’t want treatment to interfere or inconvenience my daily life. The laser shots allowed me to continue with hardly any interruption.”

Though retired, Morton is a dedicated volunteer at Riverside National Cemetery, where he is a valued member of the burial detail team. One of the key advantages of IMRT treatment was its flexibility and efficiency, allowing him to receive radiation therapy while continuing his important volunteer work. Whether firing the rifle, folding flags, or delivering speeches to loved ones, Morton remained committed to honoring those who served even as he faced his cancer treatment.

With less than 20 minutes a day for 28 sessions, Morton joked that the biggest inconvenience of his radiation was simply driving to the hospital. However, despite the brief duration of each session, Bush says each treatment is highly technical. 

Bush explains that the first step is a CAT scan to correctly position the patient for treatment, after which a body mold is created to keep the patient still during the procedure.

“Then, using computer-generated plans customized for each patient, an X-ray beam precisely targets high-energy rays directly at the cancer cells, minimizing radiation exposure to the surrounding healthy tissues,” Bush says.

In total, Moton received treatment five days a week for six weeks. “There was no burning or pain,” he said of the radiation. “I didn’t feel anything. I’d lay there for 10 minutes, and then I was up and running.”

After completing his treatment, Morton was declared cancer-free. Now, his only ongoing maintenance involves receiving a shot every three months for 18 months to prevent the production of testosterone, a standard measure to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.

“I’ve beat cancer down,” Morton says. “I don’t have to worry about prostate cancer anymore.”

All men aged 50 and older are encouraged to undergo annual prostate cancer screenings. If you have a family history of prostate cancer, consider discussing screening options with your doctor as early as age 40. To learn more about prostate cancer screening and treatment options, visit our website or call 951-290-4148.