Remembering Frank Bollé,  1935-1999

Our dear friend Frank Bolle passed away on April 18th, 1999 at home after battling his disease
for over 10 years. After Frank was diagnosed with prostate cancer he discovered that there
wasn't a men's support group here in the Monterey bay area, so he organized and founded
the "MEN CAN ACT" prostate cancer support group in 1991. Frank was able to help
hundreds of men and devoted much of his time to working with prostate cancer survivors and
their issues such as activism, support and education. Frank was appointed to the first board of
directors of the National Prostate Cancer Coalition in Washington DC., and also was on the
board of directors of our local chapter of the American Cancer Society. 

Dr. Eric Small, Frank's friend and prostate cancer researcher and oncologist at UCSF wrote: 
"Frank Bolle was a magnificent and inspirational human being. He will always be with me. Frank 
never quit fighting, and to the end, it was quite clear that he was fighting on behalf of his 
brothers. While we are always striving to attack this disease, a loss like this makes me redouble 
my efforts. Frank, you will be dearly missed. God speed, Frank. ...Eric Small"

Cancer can create powerful bonds of friendship, enhance enjoyment and appreciation of living and 
allow transformation of the soul to new heights. Frank has reached new heights and we will all miss 
him Men need a reason to justify their lives, and what better way to justify living than by helping 
others to live as Frank did.
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The following is an article published in the UCSF Cancer Center Report, January 1999.

Clinical Trials Offer Patients a Part in the Fight Against Cancer

Experimental cancer treatments available to patients through clinical trials carry no guarantee of success, but they are based on promising pre-clinical research and offer hope to those for whom standard therapies have failed. Through their participation in these clinical trials, patients also have a rare opportunity to contribute to the advancement of medical care for all who one day might be similarly stricken.

Frank Bolle, clinical trial participant (right),
with Eric Small, MD

Frank Bolle is one such patient whose already positive attitude has been buoyed by new hope and the chance to make a difference for others.

In 1990, Bolle (pronounced bo-LAY), a college professor at UC Santa Cruz, was diagnosed with prostate cancer so far advanced that it had spread to his skeletal system. Unfortunately, what is today a standard prostate cancer diagnostic test, PSA, was largely unavailable in 1990. In the PSA blood test, elevated levels of a protein made only in the prostate signal the likely presence of prostate cancer. Bolle’s condition went undiagnosed for five years.

When Bolle finally was diagnosed, he underwent emergency surgery at Stanford University Medical Center (now part of UCSF Stanford Health Care) to remove his diseased organ – but because his cancer had already entered his bones, his prognosis was not good. That was eight years ago.

“The doctors told me when I had my surgery that I might be dead in a year and a half,” Bolle says. “I fooled them – I guess God still has things for me to do.”

Initially, Bolle received standard radiation treatment and hormonal therapy to diminish the tumor-stimulating effects of testosterone. Eventually he was referred to Eric Small, MD, chief of genitourinary medical oncology for the UCSF Cancer Center, to explore other options for halting the progress of the cancer.

Small first enrolled Bolle in an immunotherapy trial, in which cells within the patient’s immune system are “educated” to attack prostate cancer cells. Bolle’s immune system showed vigorous activity after the treatment, and his PSA levels stopped rising.

More recently, Bolle has enrolled in the first scientifically controlled clinical trial of a novel and recently controversial therapy called PC SPES. (“PC” stands for prostate cancer, and “SPES,” which rhymes with less, is Latin for “hope.”) This dietary supplement consists of a mix of Chinese herbs and contains more than 100 active ingredients...

“It is very exciting that the University is able to test these types of alternative treatments,” Bolle says.

Copyright © 1999 Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.