Biden’s cancer diagnosis has more men questioning their own health 

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Former President Joe Biden’s recent prostate cancer diagnosis is prompting more men along the Central and South Coast to question their own health, according to local doctors.

Medical professionals at Dignity Health and Sutter Health say they’ve seen a rise in patients seeking information about prostate cancer since the announcement of Biden’s diagnosis.

“I’ve been surprised to hear that a lot of people haven’t put much thought into it,” said Dr. Benjamin Capper, an internal medicine physician at Dignity Health Medical Group. “This gives us a good opportunity to bring it up and create an individualized plan for them.”

Dr. Scott Tobis, a urologic oncologist and robotic surgeon with Sutter’s Central Coast Urology Department, said many patients are now asking if they might have prostate cancer and what steps they should take.

Doctors recommend men over the age of 55 get screened annually.

“Cancers, by and large, don’t cause symptoms in the early phases, so having the appropriate screening is really important,” Tobis said. “If it starts to show aggressive behavior, then we can remove the prostate before it has a chance to spread.”

John Tallon, a prostate cancer survivor from Southern California, said he wasn’t getting regular screenings before his diagnosis four years ago, which led to an advanced case and ultimately surgery.

“I’m an example of what you shouldn’t do. I didn’t have regular tests done, so I didn’t know I had prostate cancer brewing,” Tallon said.

Now cancer-free, Tallon said he is grateful he sought care.

“I am non-detectable at this time, and it’s peace of mind knowing I don’t have it brewing again,” he said.