Houston Methodist Prostate Cancer Survivor Turns Grim Prognosis Into Message of Hope

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September marks Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

When Barry Chautin was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, he was initially told he may only have six to 12 months to live. Today, the 66-year-old is in remission, sharing a message of hope during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

A routine visit to his primary care doctor in April 2025 prompted an urgent referral to urologist Dr. Zachary Mucher at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. Chautin’s PSA levels had increased significantly from the year before, and he was unable to urinate, raising immediate concerns.

Initial test results suggested Chautin had stage 4 prostate cancer with small cell differentiation, a rare and aggressive subtype of the disease with a poor prognosis.

“The cancer appeared metastatic and had spread,” said Mucher. “Most patients with this subtype of prostate cancer typically have just six to 12 months to live. It was also extremely out of the ordinary because most prostate cancers do not cause any symptoms.”

“It was a really hard day for all of us because Mr. Chautin’s daughter is one of our nurse practitioners, and we were all heartbroken.”

Mucher sent Chautin’s case to Dr. Patrick Prath, a medical oncologist at Houston Methodist Sugar Land and Dr. Clive Shkedy, a radiation oncologist at Houston Methodist Sugar Land. Together, the three physicians began collaborating to develop a comprehensive treatment plan including chemotherapy, hormone therapy, surgery and radiation. Under their care, Chautin was able to receive treatment closer to home at Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital with radiation oncologist Dr. Peter Morgan. This flexibility helped ease the burden of travel for Chautin without compromising access to high-quality care.

“The staff explained everything, treated me with kindness and were always checking on me – they truly went above and beyond,” Chautin said.

During surgery to remove cancer cells and help restore Chautin’s normal bladder function, doctors collected tissue samples for additional testing. Biopsy results later revealed Chautin had a more typical, high-grade prostate carcinoma with neuroendocrine features. The cancer was classified as stage 3 and had spread to nearby lymph nodes.

“This is still a serious diagnosis, but it carries a higher chance of achieving remission compared to a small-cell cancer,” Prath said.

While receiving treatment, Chautin found solace in woodworking and began handcrafting custom wooden plaques with inspirational poems for the hospital’s celebration bells, creating a lasting symbol of hope and encouragement for others undergoing cancer treatment.

Chautin’s body responded well to the treatment plan and his most recent PSA test in May 2026 showed no detectable evidence of cancer. He later had the opportunity to ring the bells he designed himself.

This September in honor of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Chautin is encouraging other men to be proactive about their health and not delay conversations about screening with their doctors.

“I tell all my friends to get checked,” he said. “I met people during treatment who were much younger than I was, and it really opened my eyes. Stay positive and trust your care team.”

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men and remains the second leading cause of cancer death among American men, according to the American Cancer Society.

• Nearly 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.
• Black men have a higher diagnosis risk and mortality rate compared to other racial groups.
• Having a family history like a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles a man’s risk of developing the disease.

Houston Methodist oncologists urge men experiencing difficulty starting or stopping urination, weak or interrupted urine flow, or painful and frequent urination to schedule an appointment with a urologist.