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Justin Bekelman, MD

Degree and Institution

MD, Yale University School of Medicine
BA, Princeton University

Faculty Title

Assistant Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology
Senior Fellow, Leonard Davis Institute for Health Economics

Department

Clinical Expertise

I am a radiation oncologist who specializes in the treatment of prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and testicular cancer. My particular expertise is managing the early detection and treatment of prostate cancer. Prostate cancers present and progress in different ways. While some prostate cancers pose little threat to health, others may grow aggressively. In many cases, radiotherapy or surgery can be curative. We are actively studying new ways to preserve bowel, urinary and sexual function after radiotherapy and to improve quality of life for patients after treatment. For example, to improve outcomes while minimizing the side effects of radiotherapy, we use sophisticated technologies like proton beam therapy and image-guided, intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

Research Expertise

My main research interests are in assessing and improving the quality of cancer care, with a particular emphasis on screening, treatment and outcomes for men with prostate cancer. My current research is focused on the comparative effectiveness of prostate cancer treatments, including surgery, proton beam therapy, intensity-modulated radiotherapy, image-guided radiotherapy, and brachytherapy. I am a close collaborator with other faculty at the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics (LDI), the University of Pennsylvania’s center for interdisciplinary health services research. I am active in the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology and serve on the Executive Committee of the National Radiation Oncology Registry, sponsored by the Radiation Oncology Institute. I formerly served as Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense in the US Department of Defense.

Cancer Programs
Urologic Cancer Program
» Radiation Oncology

Radiation Oncology
» Urologic Cancer

Other Affiliations
American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO)
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
Society for Medical Decision Making (SMDM)

Residency
Johns Hopkins (Internship)
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Fellowship
Health Outcomes Group, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Program in Clinical Effectiveness, Harvard University School of Public Health

Board Certifications
Board Certified, Radiation Oncology, 2009

Publications
Click here to see my publications

In the News
Medical scientists too close to industry, study shows

Surgery or Radiation? A new study finds that men with early prostate cancer are strongly influenced by the type of specialists they consult

Follow-up after EBRT for early prostate cancer falls short

IMRT bests CRT for prostate treatment

Study: Fewer Complications with IMRT than 3D-CRT

Podcast: Prostate cancer, patients' consultations, and the treatments they receive

Treating prostate cancer

">In the News