Eric Braeden has come out to share the news that he has been diagnosed with cancer and is presently getting immunotherapy to address high-grade malignant cells located close to his bladder.
The veteran actor from “Young and the Restless” shared his story in a video that was 13 minutes long and uploaded it on Facebook on Friday. He said that he was recovering from knee replacement surgery when the health concern occurred and was having issues with his prostate. “I hate to be this person but I think this may be good for some older guys who may or may not listen to this,” he added. “I don’t want to offend anyone.”
According to Braeden, the prostate condition progressed to the point that it caused him to have to urinate regularly, about every half an hour or so. It was recommended to him by a urologist that he has a procedure called an UroLift, which releases pressure on the urethra. However, before getting that treatment, Braeden said that the issue with urination “became so bad that I couldn’t pee.”
“And that, my friends, I can tell you is one of the most painful experiences I’ve had,” he stated to the group of people gathered there.
In the end, Braeden sought medical attention at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles for a second opinion. There, he was treated by a pioneer in the field of UroLift surgery. According to Braeden, the diagnosis of cancer was given to him when he went back to the hospital a few days later, but it is unclear precisely when he did so. The UroLift ended up being the procedure that was going to be performed by the doctor, at which time Braeden said that the doctor was going to remove the malignancy.
Braeden said that after the removal of the cancerous tissue during surgery, he was told to come back in one week. In addition, Braeden said, after reviewing the results of the biopsy, that “among the low-grade cancer cells there [were] some high-grade cancer cells” in the area next to his bladder. He said that the urologist explained that they would administer immunotherapy once per week for a period of six weeks in order to treat the high-grade cancer cells.
Braeden said that he went through the second session just this past week. According to him, some of the symptoms are comparable to those of the flu.
Although the 82-year-old actor claims to be feeling under the weather at the moment, he is nevertheless maintaining a modest workout routine, which he acknowledges “is difficult for an athlete” like himself.
“So that’s where I am right now,” the actor stated, adding that despite the diagnosis, he has continued to perform on the soap opera. “So that’s where I am right now.” “I’m feeling a little under the weather, but it’s not really that bad. I’ve picked up the habit of paying closer attention to my body’s cues and slowing down when it tells me to. I’m going to get it. And I’ll be back in fighting shape in no time.”
Braeden used the chance of what was supposed to be a three-week guest cameo on Y&R in 1980 and turned it into more than 40 seasons playing the role of Victor Newman.
The daytime drama Young and the Restless recently marked its half-century anniversary, and in recognition of this momentous milestone, Entertainment Tonight and CBS presented a special event titled The Young and the Restless 50th Anniversary Celebration.