Taye Diggs speaks out on cancer awareness following devastating family losses

Taye Diggs has reflected on the devastating loss of both his mother and stepfather to cancer, revealing that their deaths have fueled his determination to advocate for early detection and preventative testing.

In an exclusive interview with People, the 55-year-old actor said the experience has reshaped how he views his own health and the importance of proactive care.

“Both my parents, unfortunately, passed a little earlier than expected from various cancers,” Diggs said, noting that his mother, Marcia Berry, died in 2019 shortly after her diagnosis, while his stepfather, Jeffries Diggs, died from colon cancer in 2004.

“When something bad happens and you realize that it can be avoided when people don't take advantage of it, that annoys me,” he added. “Take my situation. Both my parents passed, both of them.”

Diggs previously shared that his mother initially kept her diagnosis private. By the time her condition worsened and she was taken to the hospital, doctors informed the family she had little time left.

“She was feeling weird, but she’s a trooper,” he recalled in an earlier conversation. 

“It got so tough that we took her to the hospital, and then that’s when they were like, ‘Okay, she’s got cancer. She doesn’t have much [time].’ And then boom, she was gone.”

Now, the Best Man star has partnered with Cancerguard, a blood-based multi-cancer detection test developed through Exact Sciences. 

The test identifies unusual protein markers and is designed to complement not replace, routine cancer screenings.

“I had no idea that anything like this even existed,” Diggs said. “If they had, I wouldn’t be in the position that I’m in today.”

He emphasized that access to new screening tools removes excuses for avoiding preventative care.

“So now that we know we have amazing tools like this, there’s no excuse for people to just not go out and just get the test,” he said, adding that greater awareness can provide much-needed peace of mind.

Diggs also said fatherhood has intensified his commitment to staying healthy. He shares 16-year-old son Walker Nathaniel Diggs with his ex-wife, Idina Menzel.

“I’m a father. I enjoy being a father. I wanna make sure that I’m there for him as long as possible,” he said. “Realizing that this test existed was a relief. I know that now I have the information that I need to possibly be there for my son as long as possible.”

The actor added that his son is already vigilant when it comes to health concerns.

“If he hears me even sniffle, he’s like, ‘Go to the doctor,’” Diggs said. “He already has that mental state. I’m a little bit late to the game. We’re definitely letting him know that being the early bird is definitely beneficial.”