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James Pickens Jr. Reveals Prostate Cancer Diagnosis, Urges Early Screening

The actor says routine PSA testing caught a rare variant early, leading to successful robotic surgery.

Overview

  • Pickens disclosed that elevated PSA levels at a routine physical led to a urology referral, MRI and biopsy that confirmed a prostate tumor.
  • Subsequent scans showed the cancer had not spread, and he underwent a robotic radical prostatectomy earlier this year.
  • Doctors described his case as a rare variant, prompting cautious follow-up despite the early detection.
  • He released a PSA with Black Health Matters urging men—especially Black men and those with a family history—to discuss screening starting at age 40.
  • The announcement coincides with Grey’s Anatomy revealing his character has cancer in its midseason finale, with the series set to resume in January.