Longtime Grey’s Anatomy star James Pickens Jr. has shared that he’s been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The actor, who has played Dr. Richard Webber in the medical drama series for 22 seasons, opened up about his health news in a recent interview, explaining that it’s not necessarily an update anyone is glad to receive.
“It’s not the kind of news anyone wants to hear, but to be honest, prostate cancer has run through my family,” Pickens said in an interview with Black Health Matters. “My father had it. He had a lot of brothers; several of them had it. I would have been surprised if I hadn’t gotten it.”
The 71-year-old actor from Cleveland also shared that he doesn’t know anyone who has died from prostate cancer: “I’ve got a 90-year-old first cousin, who’s still alive, actually; he had it. His son has it. A couple of his brothers had it. No one, as far as I know, has succumbed to it.”
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.
In a video for Black Health Matters, Pickens Jr. shared that one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. He added that early detection of the disease is crucial, and that can start with something as simple as a blood test.
In the actor’s case, he was getting a routine PSA test (prostate-specific antigen) until his doctor sent him to get an MRI. That revealed “something suspicious,” and a biopsy found a tumour that had not spread and was quickly removed.
“We caught it really early, and so they thought that would be the best route to take,” Pickens Jr. added. “I do have a rare variant that you don’t see very often. They wanted to err on the side of caution and keep an eye on it. 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.”
Dr. Danny Vesprini, a radiation oncologist at Toronto’s Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, told Yahoo Canada in 2022 that while the prostate isn’t large (about the size of a walnut), its nature and location “certainly causes lots of problems.”
By the year 2040, annual prostate cancer cases worldwide are expected to double, with annual deaths projected to rise by 85 per cent. Read on to learn more about the prostate, its common issues and how you might be able to prevent discomfort.
What is the prostate?
The prostate is a small, rubbery gland that produces enzymes and proteins in the body. It’s part of the reproductive system and it’s located deep inside the groin, between the base of the penis and the rectum.
“The main goal of the prostate is that it produces between 60 to 80 per cent of a man’s ejaculate and, in particular, creates an enzyme called prostate-specific antigen, or PSA,” Vesprini explained. “What that enzyme does is liquify the coagulum in the vagina to help with reproduction. So it allows sperm to swim more freely in the vagina.”
James Pickens Jr. has portrayed Dr. Richard Webber on Grey’s Anatomy for 22 seasons. (Anne Marie Fox/Disney via Getty Images)
While it’s an important organ for procreation, it’s not one that’s necessary for life, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is another serious issue related to the organ. It’s a disease where malignant cells form in the tissues of the prostate. Some symptoms of prostate cancer can include:
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Slow or weak urinary stream
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Needing to urinate more often
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Blood in the urine or semen
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Difficulty getting an erection
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Pain in the hips, back or chest
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Weakness or numbness in the legs or feet
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Loss of bladder or bowel control
See a health-care professional if you’re experiencing these symptoms, as it’s best to catch cancer early.
What are some common prostate problems?
Vesprini said the most common problem most men experience is that the prostate continues growing. While it might be the size of a walnut or ping pong ball in younger men, it typically starts to grow when men reach their late 40s and early 50s, according to the Canadian Cancer Society.
“It’s one of the few parts of the body that still grows as we get old. And as men get older, they start to have more difficulties with urinating. That’s why older men get up to pee at night because they aren’t emptying their bladder sufficiently during the day,” he noted, adding men can experience a slower flow of their urine and may “start to spray a bit.”
The most common problem men experience is that the prostate continues growing with age, which can cause problems with urination. (Getty Images)
Although these symptoms aren’t serious medical issues, Vespirini suggested they can impact a man’s confidence and quality of life.
“As we get older and the prostate gets bigger, the bladder may not empty fully and the flow starts to slow down, which is annoying but it’s common and there’s lots of remedies,” Vesprini added.
The Canadian Cancer Society also indicated the prostate is also close to the digestive and reproductive systems, meaning problems with the organ can impact those parts of the body, too.
What is prostatitis and BPH?
In addition to common urinary problems, serious conditions such as prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can also affect the prostate.
Prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate that can cause symptoms like painful urination and general discomfort in the groin, pelvis or genitals.
Drinking less fluid in the evening can help ease BPH symptoms. (Getty Images)
“It can be very uncomfortable and disruptive by causing pain or sexual dysfunction,” Vesprini shared.
On the other hand, BPH, or an overly enlarged prostate, usually affects men over age 40. As it grows, the prostate can block the flow of urine and cause bladder, urinary tract or kidney problems.
“Signs of BPH are difficulty urinating, a weak stream, or having a frequent need to urinate,” explained Vesprini.
Remedies for prostate issues
If you’re hoping to alleviate symptoms of non-cancerous conditions like BPH, the most common thing to do is to change your daily habits.
“Stop drinking in the evening or don’t drink lots of fluid before bed, which lessens the amount of times you’re urinating at night,” Vesprini suggested.
If that doesn’t provide relief, there are medications that help the bladder empty more sufficiently, or medications that shrink the prostate over time.
“For more serious cases, there are surgical procedures that can be done, but it has risks,” Vesprini added.
Everyone should work towards having a healthy heart, eating well and exercising frequently. (Getty Images)
For prostatitis, the oncologist said anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen or Advil can sometimes help, or using antibiotics may settle things down.
“Some men find that different foods or certain activities also trigger symptoms and thus they avoid those, but that’s unique to each person and you’ll have to go through a trial and error process to figure it out,” he explained.
Can I prevent prostate issues?
“You can’t really prevent prostate problems, and something like BPH is just a natural evolution,” Vesprini said. “The only way to prevent it from happening is to have no testosterone, which is what triggers the prostate to grow over time.”
He added since urinary problems and BPH are normal parts of aging, it’s abnormal for a man in his 70s or 80s to not have experienced any of these problems. In general, the doctor said in order to be your best self, you should work towards having a healthy heart, having a good diet and exercising frequently.
“It’s very important to keep on top of your overall health, and don’t turn to quick fixes,” Vesprini concluded. “Be aware of any changes in your body, and get screened if you suspect any issues.”
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