KMLE's Dave Pratt Deals With Prostate Cancer On Air

Richard Ruelas (602 444-8473) wrote this in today's Arizona Republic:

Dave Pratt, the morning host for KMLE-FM, will be wearing a diaper during his scheduled morning shift today. He might even use it. It's not part of a wacky stunt but because the longtime Phoenix radio fixture has shaky bladder control following surgery to remove his cancerous prostate gland."I'm wearing Depends," Pratt said, extending his arms triumphantly last week while standing in the office of his Paradise Valley home. Technicians were on their way to install the microphones and equipment that would let him broadcast from his desk. Pratt is hoping that talking frankly about his bout with cancer - the adult diapers, the uncomfortable exams and his fears - will encourage more men to get tested."Men don't sit around saying, 'How's your prostate, Charlie?' " he said.

Pratt talked about starting a prostate awareness march, which would kick off with a symbolic bending over at the waist. "And I'd be bringing up the rear," he said.

The 43-year-old had surgery on July 13. It went smoothly enough that, two weeks later, he was walking around his house and preparing to take in a matinee with his kids. He was also eager to get back on the air."I definitely don't want to dwell on the situation because I still want to have an entertaining, fun show," he said. "But I'm not going to shy away from talking about it."

Prostate cancer is relatively common among men. It's also highly treatable if caught early. But one way to catch it early involves a doctor putting on a rubber glove and placing his finger in an unpleasant place. The gland, usually about the size of a walnut, is located just below the bladder and surrounds the urethra. For Pratt, the first signs showed up after his annual physical in May. His blood showed an unusual change in the level of a protein produced by the prostate. He was sent to a urologist for the dreaded "finger test" as a precaution."

I figured he'll send me out the door and tell me to eat more watermelon or grapefruit or something," Pratt said. Instead, the doctor told him there was about a 40 percent chance he had cancer."My whole world just stopped, went into slow motion," Pratt said, "and for the next 15 minutes, I didn't hear a word he said."The little that did sink in included the fact he would have to return in two days for a biopsy. Pratt drove home in a daze and told his wife. He didn't tell anybody else. The next morning, he had a radio show to do. He didn't let on to his co-workers or his audience. The biopsy involved doctors trimming 10 slices out of his prostate. "I felt it in my teeth," Pratt said. Then, there were five more days of waiting for those results.

Pratt was in his home office when his phone rang. His Caller ID display told him it was the doctor. "I answered the phone and said, 'Tell me you have good news,' and he said, 'Actually, Dave, you have some cancer.' "Pratt, who has spent more than 25 years as a broadcaster, was silent.He was already late for a staff meeting at the radio station and drove to it on autopilot. Ratings had come in, and KMLE-FM had done well. The room darkened for a slide show that dissected the numbers, and while celebratory talk of demographics and shares floated through the air, Pratt stared blankly ahead and let a few tears run down his cheek.

Surgery was scheduled a month out. Pratt and his wife, Paula, started telling people - their four kids, other family members and some close friends. But the circle was tight. And Pratt still did not tell his co-workers or listeners. He figured there was no need to worry people about a surgery that statistics said would probably be successful. But it made those four hours broadcasting each morning a sanctuary - the only time he wasn't Dave Pratt, the cancer patient.The day before his surgery, after his shift, he left personal letters for his co-hosts and producers and posted a note on his Web site. He figured something in writing was better than an on-air announcement. Listeners' "reaction would have been the same as mine in the doctor's office," he said. "Not hearing a word after I mentioned I had cancer."That night, unable to sleep, Pratt wrote a letter to his children, sealed it in an envelope and placed it on his desk. Just in case.The surgery took just over two hours. Pratt woke up to his wife's voice and said, "Hey, I'm cancer-free." Then, he slept some more.Pratt started his radio career at age 19, at rock station KUPD-FM, developing a following as the irreverent Morning Mayor.

Two years ago, he started mornings at the decidedly tamer, older and more female-friendly KMLE-FM, a country station.He might not have been as free to talk about his prostate cancer on the rock station, built for young men who feel invincible. Country allows some tears. Working for KUPD, Pratt, during concerts with his Sex Machine band, would hand out pairs of red underwear. On KMLE this morning, he might discuss red underwear as a symptom."

On country, I'm not afraid to talk about it," Pratt said. His listeners will be curious with questions, and he'll gladly answer. But it's not a sad story anymore. That part has passed."I want to have some fun now," he said. "I'm ready to move on."