A Life-Saving Partnership: How Routine Care Caught Cancer Twice

Roger and Kathy Block never imagined they’d both face cancer diagnoses within months of each other. They also never imagined they’d still be here two decades later, camping at California beaches and spoiling grandchildren. The reason? A primary care physician (PCP) who was vigilant.

In June 2005, Elisabeth Brown MD, a PIH Health family medicine doctor at the Bloomfield Medical Office Building in Santa Fe Springs, noticed a spot on Roger’s cheek during a routine visit. She performed an immediate biopsy, revealing malignant melanoma. “If I had just blown my appointment off and not gone in, I don’t know that I would be here today,” Roger says. The early detection meant the cancer was still encapsulated—treatable before it could spread. That August, Kathy felt a lump under her arm and went to see Dr. Brown, who acted with the same urgency. By September, Kathy had a breast cancer diagnosis and in October, she underwent a mastectomy—with Dr. Brown present at the surgery, demonstrating her extraordinary dedication to her patients. “She was right there making sure I was okay,” Kathy remembers emotionally. “She’s just the best.” The couple faced treatment together, becoming known as “the cancer couple” at oncology appointments. Dr. Brown continued careful monitoring, and six years later supported Kathy’s decision to have a preventive second mastectomy. “Roger and Kathy’s story shows why regular checkups matter so much,” Dr. Brown reflects. “Early detection gives us the best chance to intervene before conditions become life-threatening.”

Now cancer-free, the Blocks see Dr. Brown every six months for wellness checks. “We’ve built up such a trust with her that we always follow her guidance,” Roger explains. “I absolutely believe that regular checkups are vital. Dr. Brown has guided both of us through the entire cancer process and we are very grateful.”

Today, the Blocks are living proof that routine primary care doesn’t just maintain health, it saves lives.

To find a primary care physician at PIH Health, visit PIHHealth.org/Doctors