CNN —

"Grey's Anatomy" actor James Pickens Jr. saves lives on screen, but says early detection saved his.

The actor, who has portrayed Dr. Richard Webber on the ABC hit for more than 20 years, appeared in an Instagram video , in which he disclosed that he is "living proof" that early detection for prostate cancer "works."

In a conversation with Black Health Matters , Pickens, 71, said he's always prioritized his yearly physical and noted that prostate cancer runs in his family.

In 2024, he said, his primary physician recommended that he see a urologist after a blood test came back with elevated numbers that caused concern.

A biopsy later revealed a tumor, but a PET scan showed the cancer had not spread. He went on to have a robotic procedure to remove part of his prostate.

"It wa

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