How to Say, "I Love You"

Submitted by Henry W. Mutrie

Thank you for this opportunity to speak to you today. My name is Hank Mutrie. I have been a Narragansett, Rhode Island resident since 1999. Last month, I started my sixth year as a SURVIVOR living with Prostate Cancer (PC). I learned about my cancer in a rather unusual way, which I would like to briefly share with you.

I had been retired for a few years and was attending a community college to learn American Sign Language because of a hard of hearing problem. Fortunately for me the school had a requirement for all students to have a current physical exam. Of course, my wife and I laughed about having to do this at my age.

As a retired Air Force Officer, I decided to use the local Navy Base facilities. The young man who gave me the checkup was a physician's assistant. My wife and I even laughed at this, thinking he was in a learning curve using me as a sample.

I OWE THIS YOUNG MAN MY LIFE!!!!!!!! He performed a digital rectal exam and drew blood for a PSA, which, as you know, stands for a prostate static antigen blood test. When he got the lab results, a PSA of 4.4 ng/ml, he called and happened to talk to my wife. He stressed to her that I should follow up on this because he felt the PSA reading was high for a man in my age group. I still was not worried, but decided in order to keep peace in the family, I had better do what he suggested. Thank goodness.

At that time, words like metastasis, Gleason scores, radical prostatectomy, seed implants, radiation, etc. were not part of my everyday vocabulary. I learned quickly. I had a biopsy guided by a transrectal ultrasound machine, which resulted in 7 and 8 Gleason scores. Needless, to say we were shaken.

Subsequently, I have undergone a radical prostatectomy, 35 sessions of external beam radiation, hormonal injections, recently another session of radiation of the spine and now face chemotherapy.

What have I learned from all of this? I have learned that early detection is so important. The earlier the diagnosis, the more medical options are available to combat prostate cancer. In my case, some options were not available to me because of my high Gleason scores. Most importantly, I have learned that prostate cancer is treatable and survivable.

Today, there is a tremendous reluctance among males to discuss or learn about prostate cancer. Why??

In my opinion, it is because it is a direct challenge to a man's sexuality and masculinity. It is extremely important that Rhode Island men be educated regarding prostate cancer. Most do not understand that a simple blood test could save or prolong their lives. We have to advertise this fact. I am a strong believer in the advertising principle know as the "Happy Hooker." Simply stated, it says, "It pays to advertise."

In this modern age in which we live, I encourage all males 40 years old or older to have an annual PSA blood test. Having an annual PSA blood test is a modern and masculine way to say, "I love you" to those who care. Only by facing up to the reality of prostate cancer, can we discover a way to eradicate it.

The Rhode Island Cancer Council needs your support to advertise these facts.

I thank your again for this opportunity.

Henry W. Mutrie

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