James Pickens Jr. is underscoring the critical role of regular screenings following his prostate cancer diagnosis.
LOS ANGELES — The beloved “Grey’s Anatomy” actor, known for his portrayal of Dr. Richard Webber over 22 seasons, recently revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis.
Pickens credits his proactive approach to health and routine screenings for the early detection of his condition, which he discussed in an interview with Black Health Matters. At 73, he acknowledged a family history of the disease, noting, “It’s not news anyone wants, but with prostate cancer prevalent in my family, it wasn’t unexpected. My father and several uncles had it.”
This family history motivated Pickens to start undergoing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests, a blood test that assesses protein levels produced by the prostate gland, as advised by the Mayo Clinic. He began these screenings at the age of 41.
“My urologist emphasized that my commitment to routine testing worked in my favor, allowing us to detect the cancer early,” he explained.
“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,’” he said.
After learning about the diagnosis, which Pickens says his doctors “hadn’t seen one that was detected as early” as his, he decided to get a radical prostatectomy to prevent the cancer from spreading. Johns Hopkins defines a radical prostatectomy as a treatment option for the partial or full removal of the prostate.
He said two urologists used a robot to perform the surgery. He stayed in the hospital for a day afterward.
Pickens is now encouraging people to get screened by sharing his own experience.
“I’m living proof that early detection works,” he said in a video posted to his social media. ” If you’re Black, or if prostate cancer runs in your family, talk to your doctor about getting screened at age 40.”
Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, with one in eight men being diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society.
The ACS also says prostate cancer is slow growing and most people diagnosed are cured.
It’s more likely to develop in older men and early screening is encouraged after 40. Prostate cancer risk is higher in African American men and in Caribbean men of African ancestry and anyone with a family history of prostate cancer according to the ACS.
