Patient Voices: Bob Cubbage

Overview

Retiring from his decades-long career in telecommunications didn’t slow Bob Cubbage down—it simply gave him more time to focus on what matters.

These days, his schedule is filled with purpose: volunteering with his local police department, substituting at local schools, and tutoring young students who need extra help with reading. Deeply involved in his church, Bob participates in outreach efforts and leads international mission trips, most recently visiting Ukraine to help those affected by the war.

“I think I’m busier now than when I had a full-time job,” he says with a laugh.

Bob’s life has long centered on connection—investing in others, offering support where it’s needed, and living out his faith in everyday moments.

So, when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, his first concern wasn’t just the diagnosis itself. It was whether he would be able to remain connected and present in the lives of others.

An Unexpected Diagnosis

It was during routine blood work through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that Bob first learned something might be wrong. Tests showed that his Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) levels had risen significantly, prompting additional testing through his primary care physician.

What followed was a series of steps familiar to many patients—imaging, biopsy, and further scans—each bringing more clarity, but also more weight.

“It’s a lot to take in when you first hear that word,” Bob says. “You don’t expect it and there’s a lot that starts running through your mind.”

The results confirmed prostate cancer, with varying Gleason scores, a system used to grade prostate cancer aggressiveness. Fortunately, imaging suggested the cancer had not spread beyond the prostate—an encouraging sign that gave Bob more options moving forward.

From there, Bob began meeting with specialists to better understand his options.

He was told that both surgery and radiation could be effective in his case, each offering similar outcomes but with different treatment experiences, timelines, and potential side effects. Rather than rushing into a decision, Bob took a step back, asked thoughtful questions, and gathered as much information as he could.

Searching for the Right Approach

“I wanted to understand what each course of treatment really looked like,” Bob says. “Not just the outcome, but the process—what I’d go through day to day.”

Through conversations with physicians, recommendations from friends, and his own research, he learned about proton therapy, a precise form of radiation designed to target tumors while limiting unnecessary radiation to surrounding healthy tissue.

When he discovered that Texas Center for Proton Therapy, a part of Texas Oncology, was located just miles away in Irving, Texas, it felt like an option worth exploring—one that could allow him to receive treatment while continuing much of his normal routine.

A Decision That Felt Right

Soon after scheduling a proton therapy consultation, Bob met with board-certified radiation oncologist Andrew K. Lee, M.D., MPH, and the experience immediately stood out to him.

“He took the time to walk through everything with me,” Bob explains. “He answered my questions, explained the reasoning behind different steps, and made sure we were looking at the full picture.”

Dr. Lee recommended additional measures—including a second pathology review—to better understand the specifics of Bob’s cancer and tailor the treatment approach accordingly. That level of thoroughness made an impression.

“He wasn’t just moving forward for the sake of moving forward,” Bob shares. “He wanted to make sure we had the right information to make the best decision for my health.”

For Dr. Lee, each patient’s case is unique, and understanding those details is key to delivering the most effective care.

“One of the most important advantages of proton therapy is that it can be tailored to each patient’s diagnosis, including the size and location of the tumor,” says Dr. Lee. “That precision helps us target the tumor while reducing radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissue and organs. In prostate cancer treatment, that’s especially important because of how close the prostate is to structures like the bladder and rectum. For many patients, that can mean fewer side effects and better quality of life during and after treatment.”

For Bob, the decision became clear soon after.

“Texas Center for Proton Therapy felt like the right place for me,” Bob says. “I felt comfortable with the plan, and I had confidence in the team.”

Staying Present Through Treatment

One of Bob’s biggest concerns going into treatment was whether he would have to step away from the things that gave his life meaning.

Thankfully, he didn’t.

“I was able to keep doing what I normally do,” he says. “I didn’t lose a step.”

Throughout his course of proton therapy, Bob remained active and engaged in his daily life.

Treatment became something he worked into his schedule—not something that pulled him away from it.

“I would go in for treatment and then go about the rest of my day,” he adds. “That made a big difference.”

But beyond maintaining his routine, Bob also found purpose in the time he spent at the proton center.

Throughout his treatment, Bob continued doing what came naturally to him: connecting with people, offering encouragement, and being present for others who needed it.

“I’d sit down and talk with people who were just getting started,” Bob says. “A lot of them were nervous and didn’t know what to expect. Sometimes all they needed was someone to talk to.”

In those moments, he found a deeper sense of purpose—one that extended beyond his own diagnosis.

“I think people just need to hear that they’re going to be okay,” he says. “And if you’ve been through it, you can help someone else through it.”

What began as a personal treatment journey gradually became something more—an opportunity to support others walking a similar path.

A Message for Others

Reflecting back on his cancer journey, Bob understands how overwhelming a diagnosis can feel, especially in those early moments when uncertainty can feel all-consuming.

He says, “There’s a lot going through your mind. You don’t expect it, and it can feel like everything is happening all at once.”

For him, one of the most important lessons he took from his experience was the value of staying proactive and informed—giving yourself the time and space to fully understand your diagnosis and the options available to you.

“Take the time to learn what’s out there,” he says. “There are more options today than there used to be, and understanding those options can make a big difference in how you move forward.”

That perspective didn’t come all at once. It developed over time, through conversations, research, and a willingness to stay engaged in the process.

“The medical field has come a long way,” he adds. “There are better treatments out there like proton therapy and better outcomes than there used to be. You just have to be willing to ask questions and understand what’s available to you. Be your own advocate.”

For Bob, that sense of understanding—combined with his faith—helped replace uncertainty with confidence and allowed him to move forward with clarity.

Moving Forward

Today, Bob continues to live a life centered on service, connection, and purpose. He still invests his time in the people and communities that matter most to him, staying active in his church, volunteering, and finding ways to support others wherever he can.

If anything, his cancer journey only deepened that commitment. The diagnosis that once brought uncertainty didn’t take those things away—it reinforced just how important they were to him.

“I just want to keep serving while I’m here,” he says.

In the end, cancer didn’t change who Bob was. It simply gave him an even deeper appreciation for the life he was already living—and another opportunity to be present where he was needed most.

The information included in this testimonial is based on one patient’s unique experience and is not intended to represent all patient outcomes or expectations.