Soap Opera Legend Determined To Overcome Cancer Diagnosis Offers Life-Saving Advice To Fans
“So if any of you have someone in the family who goes through this, support them. It can work out.”
He’s 82 years old and nothing will slow him down.
Soap opera legend Eric Braeden was told he had prostate cancer shortly after recovering from knee surgery, but in spite of the daunting road ahead, he’s determined to beat the disease, and he’s helping others along the way.
Sharing With His Fans
Eric took to Facebook live on April 21 with a 13-minute video that explained his current health diagnosis.
The star is a familiar face to generations of fans that have watched him play the role of Victor Newman for four decades on “The Young and the Restless.”
His message was both relatable and inspiring.
“Whilst recuperating from the knee surgery, I began to have problems with my prostate,” he said. “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. It’ll happen to them,” he said to his fans.
“Your prostate grows as you grow older. Period,” he said. “Everything grows. All the wrong things grow as you grow older. My prostate, I’d had some problems with it before. It manifests itself by you having to pee a lot. And it got to the point where I had to get up almost every half hour,” he said.
The Initial Confusion
The famous actor described his experience by informing fans that he wasn’t receiving the medical information and support that he needed from his first doctor. That doctor reportedly ran tests, but didn’t discover the disease.
Eric took matters into his own hands and sought the assistance of a second medical professional, and was finally able to start his road to recovery.
He underwent the same tests with the second doctor, and was promptly diagnosed.
“The same methodology used by the other urologist, but six weeks prior. And he looks at it … and he says, ‘That spot on the screen.’ He says, ‘You have cancer.”
Eric’s new doctor proposed a Urolift procedure to remove the cancer. Right from that moment, he knew he would face this situation head-on, and do all he could to overcome the disease.
Facing His Diagnosis Head-On
“Needless to say, I was taken aback, but I was determined to deal with it,” Braeden said in his Facebook Live video.
A week after his surgery, a biopsy revealed that there were still some cancer cells that needed further treatment, and Eric is now preparing to undergo immunotherapy.
He told his fans that he has made amendments to his lifestyle and workout routine, in order to embrace the changes in his body. He described himself as being an athlete and admitted it was tough for him to adjust.
“Difficult to learn to slow down,” he explained. “To do it, but do less of it. That there’s always this ambition where you got to go hard. Just do it. And I’ve learned now to listen to my body more and not go all out.”
In spite of all the medical setbacks and physical adjustments to his lifestyle, Eric remains positive and is tackling each step of his healing process with sheer determination to beat cancer.
“I will lick this,” he said.
Sheer Determination
“This pass at it ain’t gonna get me. I’m gonna get it, alright? And I’ll be in top form again soon,” he told his fans.
Eric loves acting and doesn’t want to stop. He’s continuing with is work and took a moment to humbly thank his fans and loved ones for the support they have shown him during this challenging time.
He was visibly emotional at the end of his video. As he courageously faces his recovery process, the famous actor is also looking out for his fans and the members of the general public.
He signed off with a powerful message to anyone facing a serious health battle, and he infused positivity and hope into situations that can sometimes seem stifling.
“So if any of you have someone in the family who goes through this, support them,” he said. “It can work out.”
