Eric Braeden Says His Cancer Diagnosis Is ‘on Hold’ After Sharing He Was ‘Cancer-Free’ Last Year: ‘Very Grateful’

"Just go and have your cystoscopy, have your colonoscopy, have [your] heart checked out. Do all that, do it in time," the 'Young and the Restless' star said

Eric Braeden has a happy health update to share with his fans.

The 83-year-old The Young and the Restless star told Entertainment Tonight that his health is still in good standing after announcing that he was ”cancer-free” in August 2023.

"My cancer diagnosis right now is on hold, as it were, and [I'm] very grateful for very good doctors and very good modern cancer treatment which has improved enormously," Braeden said.

He also encouraged people to get their annual health screenings, adding, "People shouldn't be afraid of it, you know. Just go and have your cystoscopy, have your colonoscopy, have [your] heart checked out. Do all that, do it in time."

Related: 'Young & the Restless' Star Eric Braeden Shared Cancer Diagnosis to 'Help People Be Not So Fearful of It'

In April 2023, the veteran actor revealed in an emotional Facebook Live session that doctors found high-grade cancer cells near his bladder after he experienced prostate issues while recuperating from a knee-replacement surgery.

At the time, he said he had been undergoing treatment for high-grade cells with a six-week immunotherapy treatment plan, but let his fans know that he was planning to fight the cancer all the way.

"This bastard ain't going to get me, I'm going to get it. I'll be in top form again soon," he promised.

In May, Braeden spoke candidly with PEOPLE about why he wanted to publicly share his diagnosis.

“I decided to go public with it because I can help people not to be so fearful of it,” he said. Braeden also explained that he hoped his diagnosis would serve as a reminder for men to “have this damn thing checked out.”

Related: Eric Braeden Encourages People to Get Cystoscopies After Bladder Cancer Diagnosis: 'Go for It'

Four months later, he revealed during another Facebook Live that doctors were unable to find any cancerous cells in his bladder during his last cystoscopy. He told ET that it took some time for the news to sink in, and that despite the good news, it didn’t mean that “this is all over.”

“On the way home. I thought, ‘Keep on looking at it step by step. Don’t anticipate the result. Don’t look ahead. No, take it step by step,’ ” he recalled.

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The soap opera star hasn’t been alone when it comes to facing this difficult chapter. His Young and the Restless family and fans have been there to cheer him on throughout the challenging time.

“It means everything,” he told ET of the support he has received. “People have been awfully kind. Fans have been very kind ... it means a lot.”

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