Grey’s Anatomy star James Pickens Jr. says he’s cancer-free following a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Pickens Jr., who has played Dr. Richard Webber, for more than 450 episodes of the medical drama, announced last week he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer after the season 22 midseason finale revealed his character had also been diagnosed.
“It’s not the kind of news anyone wants to hear, but to be honest, prostate cancer has run through my family. 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 told Black Health Matters.
“I’ve got a 90-year-old first cousin, who’s still alive, actually; he had it. His son has it. A couple of his brothers had it. No one, as far as I know, has succumbed to it.”
Pickens Jr., 71, said because of his family history he started getting screened and tested for prostate cancer his his early 40s. After a physical earlier this year, an MRI revealed something “suspicious.”
He had a tumour and needed surgery to remove it, but the cancer had not spread beyond the prostate.
Pickens Jr. also filmed a PSA for Black Health Matters about the importance of early detection.
“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.
“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.”
Black men “are more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than other men,” according to the CDC.
Following the new episode, the interview and the PSA, Pickens Jr. took once again to social media to announce he was cancer-free.
“Hi Friends, I’m blessed and grateful to be cancer-free,” he captioned a photo of himself over the weekend. “Thanks so much for all the love and support! Get checked!” – New York Daily News/Tribune News Service
