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“Grey’s Anatomy” Star James Pickens Jr. Reveals Personal Battle with Prostate Cancer
Los Angeles, CA – James Pickens Jr., beloved for his role as Dr. Richard Webber on ABC’s long-running medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy,” has bravely shared his personal fight against prostate cancer, a diagnosis that mirrored his character’s recent storyline. The 73-year-old actor received his diagnosis following a routine annual physical earlier this year.
“It’s not the kind of news anyone wants to hear, but to be honest, prostate cancer has run through my family,” Pickens told Black Health Matters. “My father had it.
He had a lot of brothers; several of them had it. I would have been surprised if I hadn’t gotten it.”
He further noted a long history of the disease within his family, with several relatives having been diagnosed but, thankfully, none succumbing to it.
Due to this extensive family history, Pickens has maintained a disciplined approach to monitoring his health. This vigilance proved crucial in his early detection.
“My urologist said, ‘Because you were so diligent in that piece of your health, it was to your advantage. We were able to catch it so early because you were being tested.'”
The journey to diagnosis began with elevated PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels discovered during his annual physical. This led to a referral to a urologist, where further investigation revealed “something suspicious.” A subsequent biopsy confirmed a tumor, but a PET scan offered a significant relief: the cancer had not spread.
Presented with options, Pickens ultimately chose a radical prostatectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the prostate, which was performed robotically by two urologists. “We caught it really early, and so they thought that would be the best route to take,” he explained, adding that he had a rare variant that necessitated extra caution from his medical team.
Beyond his personal battle, Pickens is using his platform to encourage men, particularly Black men, to prioritize their health and overcome the stigma surrounding discussions about prostate cancer. In a public service announcement for Black Health Matters, he highlighted the statistics: “One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
For Black men, the risk is even higher. Fortunately, prostate cancer is highly treatable, but early detection is the key, and sometimes there are no noticeable symptoms.”
He concluded with a powerful message of hope and advocacy: “Today, I am living proof that early detection works. If you’re Black, or prostate cancer runs in your family, talk to your doctor about getting screened starting at age 40.”