James Pickens Jr. Credits Early Detection in Prostate Cancer Fight

LOS ANGELES, CA — “Grey's Anatomy” star James Pickens Jr. shared his personal battle with prostate cancer, emphasizing the importance of early detection. The actor, known for his role as Dr. Richard Webber for over 20 years, revealed his health story during a recent interview.

In the interview, Pickens, 71, explained that he has always made yearly physicals a priority because prostate cancer runs in his family. In 2024, after a blood test indicated elevated markers, his primary physician referred him to a urologist.

A biopsy confirmed the presence of a tumor, but a subsequent PET scan showed that the cancer had not spread. Pickens underwent a robotic procedure to remove part of his prostate. He stated, “It was rare enough that they wanted to make sure that they were crossing all the T’s and dotting all their I’s. But they hadn’t seen one that was detected as early as mine.”

This real-life experience parallels a storyline from “Grey’s Anatomy,” where his character also faces a cancer diagnosis. The midseason finale aired on Thursday, and the show will return for the second half of its season in January.

According to health statistics, prostate cancer affects 1 in 8 men, with even higher prevalence in Black men. Pickens underscored that “early detection is key” in fighting the disease.