James Pickens Jr., Family History, and Prostate Cancer

On screen

James Pickens Jr., who has played Dr. Richard Webber on Grey's Anatomy for two decades, shared publicly in November 2025 that he had been treated for prostate cancer. He said it was caught after routine testing during an annual physical, that prostate cancer runs in his family, and that because it was found early he had treatment options and later shared that he was cancer-free. He has used his platform to stress that early detection matters and that prostate cancer often causes no noticeable symptoms.

This post uses the facts he chose to share to explain what prostate cancer is and what NCI says about testing.

The reality

The National Cancer Institute explains that prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer death among men. NCI also makes an important, sometimes surprising point: prostate cancer usually grows very slowly, and finding and treating it before it causes symptoms does not always help a man live longer or better. This is why decisions about testing and treatment are so individual.

NCI notes that a family history of prostate cancer is one factor that can raise a person's risk. When cancer is found early and confined to the prostate, NCI says a care team may discuss several approaches, which can include surgery, radiation, or careful monitoring (active surveillance) depending on the cancer and the person.

What the story gets right — and what to remember

Pickens' story highlights two real ideas: prostate cancer can run in families, and it may be present without symptoms. At the same time, NCI's guidance is nuanced — because many prostate cancers grow slowly, more testing is not automatically better for everyone, and the right choice depends on age, health, values, and the specific cancer. His decision was right for him; another person, guided by their own care team, might reasonably choose differently.

Awareness, screening & prevention

NCI describes the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test as a tool that can help find prostate cancer, while also cautioning that PSA testing has both potential benefits and potential harms — including finding slow-growing cancers that may never cause problems. Because of this, NCI recommends that men talk with a healthcare provider about whether PSA testing is right for them, taking into account age and personal and family history. There is no single answer that fits everyone, which is exactly why the conversation matters.

Turning a story into something useful

Pickens turned his diagnosis into a call for awareness. A thoughtful response is to learn how family history affects risk, to understand both sides of PSA testing, and to have an informed conversation with a healthcare provider rather than assuming one right answer. Learning the facts, partnering with a care team, and supporting free cancer education help make that possible.

Questions to ask a healthcare team

• Given my age and family history, are the benefits of PSA testing likely to outweigh the harms for me?
• What do the possible results of a PSA test mean, and what would come next?
• If prostate cancer is found early, what are the options — including active surveillance?
• How does a family history of prostate cancer affect my risk?