Bruce Williams

In February of 2018, after years of tests and multiple biopsies, Bruce was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Two months later, the cancerous gland was removed by robotic prostatectomy, and nearby lymph nodes were found to be cancer-free. However, 27 months later, during routine follow-ups, doctors identified a biochemical recurrence of the prostate cancer through an elevated prostate-specific antigen (or PSA) level in his blood. It was imperative to find the location of the oncological activity producing the PSA as quickly as possible in order to prevent advancement to full-blown metastatic disease. Luckily, Bruce’s elevated PSA had been identified early and at a very low level – too low to identify the oncological site using the conventional imaging techniques available to his physicians. 

The University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of California, San Francisco, however, were in a clinical trial of a novel imaging technique using a new gallium radiotracer capable of detecting oncological activity at far lower PSA levels and displaying metastases with far greater clarity. The UCLA-UCSF nuclear imaging technique was approved by the FDA in 2020, and a few months later, Bruce’s PSA level had risen to a level indicating a likelihood of detection.

Unfortunately, Bruce went through a nearly six-month-long unsuccessful battle with his insurance provider to get this scan approved. The newly approved imaging scan was FDA-approved but not covered under Medicare. Bruce paid out of pocket for his procedure, revealing oncological activity on a presacral lymph node, an uncommon site not local to where his prostate had been.

If not for this scan, Bruce believes his cancer would have likely continued to grow and metastasize further, becoming increasingly difficult to treat, more painful, and far more expensive for him and his insurance company.

That’s why Bruce has been an advocate for the advancement of medical imaging and its reimbursement to patients for years now. As former president of the Arizona Prostate Cancer Coalition, he now serves as a director for the board. He has been an active member in Hill Day advocacy, including meeting with legislators in support of the Facilitating Innovative Nuclear Diagnostics (FIND) Act of 2023. 

From personally experiencing the life-saving benefit of innovative nuclear diagnostic imaging and wanting to ensure its availability to others, Bruce joined Right Scan Right Time to help advocate for the advancement of medical imaging approval through legislation such as the Health Tech Investment Act. With new imaging agents approved and now adequately reimbursed by Medicare since his life-saving scan in 2021, he is a strong proponent that innovative technologies should be available to prostate cancer and other chronic disease patients throughout America. The Health Tech Investment Act would establish consistent and predictable Medicare payments for providers who use AI-enabled medtech. 

Join Bruce in advocating for access to revolutionary health care by sending your own letter in support of the Health Tech Investment Act here.