Eric Braeden has some solid advice for men of a certain age out there.
The Daytime Emmy-winning star of The Young and the Restless, who shared with his fans in an emotional Facebook Live session in April that he had been diagnosed with bladder cancer, paid a visit to The Talk Friday and shared a wise suggestion to its viewers.
After confirming that he was now cancer-free and “doing well,” Braeden, 82, gave a quick recap of what led him to his doctor for a check-up in the first place.
“Long story short, I ended up at a urologist’s office after I couldn’t pee at all anymore,” he said. Turning to the studio audience, he added, “Those of you who are my age, 49…,” a comment which drew a laugh from the audience and a grin from him. He continued, “I can tell you, it’s very painful. I mean, you get scared. Nothing comes out.”
The Talk co-host Akbar Gbajabiamila leaned in and thanked Braeden for sharing the personal information that undoubtedly helps others because “men don’t talk about this.”
Looking at the audience, Braeden got serious. “I tell all of you guys, have a cystoscopy,” he said, referring to a procedure in which a doctor inserts a “hollow tube (cystoscope) equipped with a lens” into the urethra and slowly into the bladder, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Braeden went on. “Have it examined early on, so that you catch it early. So, go for it! Fight it!” he said punching his fist in his hand.
In a 13-minute video the German-born actor posted on April 23, Braeden 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.” He went on to say that he was undergoing immunotherapy to rid his body of the cancer cells.
Four months later, he shared very good news in another Facebook Live video.
“As of three days ago, I am cancer-free,” he said and thanked all of his fans for their “good thoughts” and “prayers. “[They] meant a great deal to me.”