"Grey’s Anatomy" veteran James Pickens Jr. is opening up about his own real-life health diagnosis.
Following the Thursday, Nov. 13 midseason finale episode, ABC aired a public service announcement after the credits in which the actor, who has portrayed general surgeon Dr. Richard Webber on the medical drama for 22 seasons, revealed he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
In the PSA video, he urged men to get screened for prostate cancer regularly.
"One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime," said Pickens Jr. in the video. "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'm living proof that early detection works," he added. "If you're Black, or if prostate cancer runs in your family, talk to your doctor about getting screened, starting at age 40."
