United Kingdom, Nov. 15 -- James Pickens Jr has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The 73-year-old actor - who has starred as Dr. Richard Webber on all 22 seasons of Grey's Anatomy - was diagnosed with a "rare variant" of the disease earlier this year and opted to undergo a prostatectomy, where the prostate gland is surgically removed.

He told Black Health Matters: "I started getting my annual physical 34 years ago, and I started my PSA testing when I was 41. I'm 73 now. My urologist said, 'Because you were so diligent in that piece of your health, it was to your advantage. We were able to catch it so early because you were being tested.'

"We caught it really early, and so they thought [surgery] would be the best route to take. I do ...