Detroiter says Men's Health Event may have saved his life

A Detroiter is sharing his personal story of surviving prostate cancer in hopes of educating other men about their health.

In the fall of 2013, 60-year-old Charles Smith decided to go to the MIU Men’s Health Event at Ford Field. He was excited to take his grandson Christian, who was 7 at the time. 

“I was just going to take the grandson, and me too, to get on the football field, I’ve never been on Ford Field,” Charles says. But before getting on the field, Charles needed to go through the health screenings, so he reluctantly got in line.

After you get in there, you have another line, another wait, so it’s almost like, everything was (saying to me) turn around. But I just couldn’t draw myself away and I really believe it’s because of what I believe: my faith in God.”

A week later, a letter came saying his PSA level was high. That’s the prostate cancer blood test. Then, the news from his doctor.

“They told me, yes, you do have cancer but thank God, we caught it at a good time,” Charles says. 

Months later he was at Henry Ford Hospital undergoing robotic surgery to remove his prostate. When surgery is the treatment choice, robotic prostatectomy is the most popular.

“This process has been very is innovative technologically advanced and really assured men a very improved outcome.” explains Michael Lutz from the Michigan Institute of Urology.

Charles is a guy who gets an annual physical and thought he was perfectly healthy. His message for men? Pay attention to your body.

“Do what you have to do stay healthy. If not for you, for your family, those who love you,” he says. 

The MIU Men’s Health Event is happening at Ford Field this Saturday, October 3. You get a lot of free screenings from dental to depression to prostate cancer, and you can attempt to kick a field goal on Ford Field.

Click here to register and to get more information.

Detroiter says Men"s Health Event may have saved his life