How Richard Roundtree Spoke Up About His Breast Cancer Diagnosis Years Before Death (Exclusive)

Richard Roundtree, who died Tuesday at the age of 81 of pancreatic cancer, had many leadership roles in his life – but none as important as shining a much-needed light on men with breast cancer, who were diagnosed with the disease in 1993. years.

Back in 2000, the legendary star of the 1970s film franchise Shaft and TV series Roots opened up to PEOPLE about his treatment and why men can’t be afraid to talk about their breast cancer diagnoses.

“I’m not embarrassed,” he told PEOPLE at the time. “Breast cancer is unusual in men, yes, but you have to be a man to go through this – damn right.”

Actor in the movie ‘Shaft’.

Zuma/SplashNews

The star – who is survived by five children from his two marriages – underwent a modified mastectomy which removed his left breast from the nipple to the armpit. After that, he had six months of chemotherapy that made him so sick that he could barely get out of bed.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

At the same time, Roundtree believed he had to keep his medical treatment a secret because he feared it would end his film career. However, six years after treatment and with the all clear, he decided it was his responsibility to speak out about men with breast cancer.

Although often thought of as a problem only for women, about 2,800 American men are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer each year, and about 530 men die, according to the American Cancer Society.

“I was in the shower when I found it. It was late September 1993. I soaped up and felt a lump under my left nipple,” Roundtree recalled to PEOPLE about the first discovery of her cancer. “It was a small thing, the size of a tin of beans. I wasn’t overly concerned at that point. When I was 13, I experienced gynecomastia, or breast enlargement due to hormonal imbalance, which is quite common among men. I just chalked it up.”

Samuel L. Jackson, Gabrielle Union and More Pay Tribute to Richard Roundtree: ‘Coolest Man in the Room’

“I went to see my doctor, Dr. Chalmers Armstrong,” the actor continued.

“About four or five days later he called me and said, ‘Listen, Richard, do you want to come in? I need to talk to you.’ And then it hit the fan. Doctors don’t want you to come in for an interview unless something is wrong. I vaguely remember this conversation. I was frozen sitting there. Cancer.”

Roundtree in ‘The Player’.

Colleen Hayes/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

The actor – who won a Golden Globe for New Star of the Year in 1972 – added: “I had young children, a great marriage [at that time the actor was married to Karen Ciernia, with whom he had three children] and a career that was brewing. I suddenly see how quickly this could all end. If I die, what will happen to my family?”

“Also, there was the whole idea that I had breast cancer. Testicular cancer, prostate cancer that most men have – I could understand that. But breast cancer?”

Roundtree continued: “A day or two later I was in hospital. dr. Frank Candela performed a modified radical mastectomy, removing the entire breast from the sternum to the armpit, including the nipple and areola. The cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.”

Richard Roundtree, star of the 1970s cult film ShaftDied at 81

Richard roundtree in Shaft.

CBS via Getty

“After the surgery, I had six months of chemotherapy,” continued Roundtree, who also starred with Samuel L. Jackson in 2000 and 2019. Shaft sequels. “It’s the single most disgusting thing. I’ve lost 18kg, but that’s not the way to lose weight. Nausea is something you never, ever forget. After chemotherapy, I acted in a movie seven [he played a district attorney alongside Brad Pitt] and I tried to keep everything a secret”.

He added: “It was difficult to lie to keep working. Every film you make exists physically. Have you had surgery in the last six months? No no no no. When I had my checkup, I would always wear an undershirt. I felt bad. But I couldn’t be unemployed.”

“After my last examination, the doctors said, ‘You don’t have to come back anytime soon.’ That was wonderful. Wonderfully. After those years with cancer hanging over me.”

Speaking about his feelings of responsibility around his cancer diagnosis, Roundtree recalled, “For a long time, I never talked about cancer. No one knew I was even in the hospital. But now I tell everyone. I feel like it’s very important for people who are recognizable in the space, at any level, to say that they’ve been through this and that it’s okay.”

Richard Roundtree in Toronto, Ontario on September 13, 2022.

Michael Loccisano/Getty

“It makes it easier for others who may be going through the same thing. When I tell other men, the reaction is ‘Really?’ They are shocked, but I am not embarrassed.”

Roundtree’s manager Patrick McMinn confirmed to PEOPLE that the actor died Tuesday at his home with his family at his bedside.

“His pioneering career changed the face of entertainment around the world and his lasting legacy will be felt by generations to come. Our hearts go out to his family and loved ones at this difficult time,” McMinn said.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education