Soap opera legend, Eric Braeden, shared a health update in a Facebook video uploaded on Friday where he revealed that he has been diagnosed with cancer.
During the 13-minute clip, The Young And The Restless actor, 82, stated that he is currently undergoing six weeks of a treatment known as immunotherapy in order to treat high-grade cancer cells near his bladder.
He discovered he had cancer when he was recovering from knee surgery, and ‘began to have problems with my prostate.’
‘I hate to be this personal but I think this may be good for some older guys who may or may not listen to this,’ the Titanic actor explained to his fans and followers.
Eric, who was born in Germany, explained that he had been experiencing frequent urination, and had gotten to a point where it was occurring, ‘every half hour.’
Health update: Soap opera legend, Eric Braeden, 82, shared a health update in a Facebook video uploaded on Friday where he revealed that he has been diagnosed with cancer; seen in March in Los Angeles
Opening up: During the 13-minute clip, the Titanic star stated that he is currently undergoing six weeks of a treatment known as immunotherapy in order to treat high-grade cancer cells near his bladder
He paid a visit to a urologist who suggested that he have a procedure known as a UroLift, with the goal to relieve pressure on the urethra.
However, in the meantime, Braeden revealed that the problem had ‘became so bad I couldn’t pee.’
He then admitted, ‘And that my friends, I can tell you, is one of the most painful experiences I’ve had.’
With the issue still affecting his day-to-day life, the actor made the decision to stop by Cedars-Sinai Hospital which is located in Los Angeles, where he was able to speak to another urologist.
After relieving the pressure on his bladder during the first visit, Eric returned a few days later, where the doctor had an examination which then revealed that he had cancer.
‘Needless to say, I was taken aback, but I was determined to deal with it,’ the star, who portrays Victor Newman on The Young And The Restless, stated.
Eric recalled that he did have the UroLift procedure, with the doctor also removing the cancer during the surgery.
A week later, he returned to the doctor’s office where a biopsy report had come in, revealing that he had high-grade cancer cells near the bladder that still needed to be treated.
Eric is known for appearing on the hit CBS soap opera called, The Young And The Restless, since 1980 and has starred in a whopping total of 43 seasons
Diagnosis: After getting a second opinion from a doctor at Cedars-Sinai Hospital, an examination showed that Eric had cancer
Eric was informed by the doctor that he would need to undergo a treatment known as immunotherapy once a week for the span of six weeks.
According to the American Cancer Society, immunotherapy, ‘is treatment that uses a person’s own immune system to fight cancer,’ and, ‘can boost or change how the immune system works so it can find and attack cancer cells.’
Braeden explained that he was told he would most likely experience weakness and also ‘flu-like symptoms’ after each round of treatment.
‘I didn’t have a really bad reaction the first day. It was okay,’ he revealed, and stated that he had most recently gotten the second week of treatment done and reassured his fans that he was doing ‘okay.’
‘So that’s where I am right now. I’m a little under the weather, but not really much,’ he positively stated. The star added that he has been trying to keep up with a normal, daily routine and continuing to work out, but doesn’t go ‘all out.’
‘I’ve learned now to listen to my body more and not go all out. I’m gonna get it. And I’ll be in top form again soon.’
While undergoing the immunotherapy treatments, Eric is still able to continue working on set, and became emotional while opening up about his passion for acting and embracing the support from his fans.
‘I still am happy to be able to go work. It distracts me. I love acting. I love knowing that I entertain people,’ Eric stated, and then emotionally paused while turning his head slightly away from the camera as he fought back tears.
‘I love your support. It means a lot. So whenever you have someone in the family who goes through this, support them. It can work out,’ he motivationally added.
‘I also know someone close to me who has had cancer, with chemo, which is tougher, much tougher. They have survived it. So nowadays, there’s so much advance in cancer treatment. You can survive it.’
The Emmy winner took a moment to pause and before bidding his followers farewell, he blew a quick kiss towards the camera.
Eric is known for appearing on the hit CBS soap opera called, The Young And The Restless, since 1980.
Positive outlook: He stated, ‘I’ve learned now to listen to my body more and not go all out. I’m gonna get it. And I’ll be in top form again soon’
Grateful: ‘I love your support. It means a lot. So whenever you have someone in the family who goes through this, support them. It can work out,’ he motivationally added; seen with co-stars Melody Thomas Scott and Amelia Heinle in The Young And The Restless
Longtime: He has starred in a whopping total of 43 seasons and almost 4,000 episodes of The Young And The Restless; seen with co-star Raya Meddine
Blockbuster: He has also taken on other roles throughout the course of his career, such as portraying John Jacob Astor in the Oscar-winning film, Titanic (pictured)
Veteran: The star, who released a memoir back in 2017, has also played smaller roles in projects such as The Bold And The Beautiful, The Nanny, and also Murder, She Wrote; seen in 2012
He has starred in a whopping total of 43 seasons and almost 4,000 episodes.
He has also taken on other roles throughout the course of his career, such as portraying John Jacob Astor in the Oscar-winning film, Titanic.
The star, who released a memoir back in 2017, has also played smaller roles in projects such as The Bold And The Beautiful, The Nanny, and also Murder, She Wrote.
Braeden tied the knot with his college sweetheart, Dale Russell Gudegast, in 1966, and the two share one son, filmmaker Christian Gudegast, 54.