'Young and the Restless' Star Eric Braeden Reveals Cancer Diagnosis--and Brass Cojones
Where are all the celebs on AS?
At age 82, with a new advanced prostate cancer diagnosis, legendary soap opera actor Eric Braeden may not be “young and restless” anymore. But he showed courage and brass cojones in sharing his “Big C” story with his fans on a Facebook video on Friday.
(When Braeden was younger and friskier…)
This is virtually unheard of among celebs who go on Active Surveillance. (AS). They head straight for the closet because they want to present a youthful image and not show “weakness” by holding on to their prostates and going on AS.
Bill Dukes, an action hero and director, one of my favorites in the 1987 sci-fi film, “Predator," shared his AS story with his medical oncologist and prostate guru, Mark Scholz, MD.
But we have barely heard a peep from the secretive Sir Ian McKellen, Gandolf from “The Hobbit” series.
(Sir Ian has kept his AS under his cloak. but proudly displays his staff.)
That’s about it.
Odds are there are more, but they’re closeted with AS, fearful that their careers would be adversely affected—such as through insurance discrimination for having have “untreated cancer,” a harmless Gleason 6.
But celebs are far more open about sharing their stories about being treated for prostate cancer.
(Sir Elton kept the flow going.)
Like the iconic Sir Elton John revealed in “Elton John: Uncensored,” a 57-minute long interview between John, and Irish TV personality Graham Norton,published exclusively by BBC1 that he peed in his diaper while performing a gig in Vegas.
No glamor there, but a heaping dose of reality.
Like bassist Tim Comerford of Rage Against the Machine, describing the “serious shit,” he was going through with advanced prostate cancer.
And comedian/director Ben Stiller likely was a candidate at a young age for AS with favorable Gleason 3+4, but he eloquently explained why he opted to be treated. Read my story in MedPage: “Celebrity Revelation Stirs the Pot.”
I guess the men who have been treated feel free to be open and share their stories and help others.
Braeden, who has been on CBS’s “The Young and The Restless” for four decades, half his life, playing Victor Newman, 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 was found to have prostate issues while he was recuperating from recent knee-replacement surgery.
High-grade cancer cells were discovered near his bladder while the actor was seeing doctors for prostate problems before he underwent a UroLift. procedure. He is currently undergoing treatment for high-grade cells with immunotherapy treatment plan.
"I've learned now to listen to my body more, and not go all out," he said. "So if you've seen me a little under the weather, yeah, I have been, but I will lick this. This bastard ain't going to get me, I'm going to get it. I'll be in top form again soon."
"So that's where I am right now," continued Braeden, who noted that he will continue acting on the soap despite the diagnosis. "I love acting. I entertain people. I love your support," said Braeden as he got emotional. "So, whenever you have someone in the family who goes through this, support them. It can work out. Nowadays, there is so much advancement in cancer treatment, you can survive it."
Tell it like it is, bro.
Hopkin’s Dr. Epstein to hold a Q&A at ASPI on April 29
By Howard Wolinsky
In a last-minute addition, Johns Hopkins uropathologist Jonathan Epstein will answer questions on active surveillance, biopsies and second opinions at the meeting of Active Surveillance Patients International (ASPI) on April 29.
Originally, the meeting at 12 p.m. Eastern April 29 was only going to premiere the latest episode of the Active Surveillance 101 video series: "Second Opinions and Biopsies," featuring our intrepid researchers, PCa patient Larry White and his savvy wife Nancy White, interviewing uropathology legend Epstein.
But thanks to some schedule changes, Epstein will join a Q&A session after the video is aired.
Register: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYtdeqsrDorGt0ujT6Ifo0Jx0FU30yoAt3L
If you want to submit questions in advance, send them to ASPI chairman Mark Lichty at mlichty@aspatients.org Epstein is prepared to handle all-comers.
Co-sponsors of the AS 101 series under the Active Surveillance Coalition include AnCan Foundation, Prostate Cancer Support Canada, Prostate Cancer Research Institute, and TheActiveSurveillor.com newsletter.
To view the full AS 101 series to date, covering PSAs, diagnosis, and Active Surveillance, go to https://aspatients.org/a-s-101/https://aspatients.org/a-s-101/