Dilbert Creator Scott Adams Confirms Terminal Prognosis and January Transition Plans
Pleasanton, Friday, 2 January 2026.
Facing “essentially zero” recovery odds, the Dilbert creator plans to utilize pain management to sustain his work output during what he terms a final month of transition.
A Stark Prognosis for the New Year
Scott Adams, the cartoonist best known for the corporate satire Dilbert, delivered a grim health update to his audience at the start of 2026. Following a consultation with his radiologist, Adams stated that the likelihood of recovering from his metastasized prostate cancer is now “essentially zero” [1][2]. In a video update shared around New Year’s Day, he advised followers to prepare for January to be a “month of transition one way or the other,” signaling the end stages of his battle with the disease [1][2]. This announcement follows his initial disclosure in May 2025 that he was fighting an aggressive form of cancer [3].
Productivity Strategy Through Pain Management
Despite the terminal outlook, Adams maintains a focus on his professional output and business continuity. He announced intentions to continue producing his “robust read news comic” and Dilbert strips for as long as it remains feasible [1][2]. To facilitate this continued productivity, Adams disclosed a pain management strategy involving painkillers and “massive amounts” of marijuana [2]. He jokingly referred to the resulting state as “The Stupor Zone,” a condition he claims makes it easier to work despite his physical deterioration [2].