Robert De Niro, a Dad of Seven and Cancer Survivor, Says He Enjoys ‘All’ Aspects of Fatherhood: ‘I Want To Be Around For As Long As I Can To Enjoy It’

Focusing On Family After Cancer

• Robert De Niro says he’s enjoying “all” aspects of fatherhood after welcoming his seventh child, his daughter Gia, into the world last year.
• The 80-year-old battled prostate cancer two decades ago. His health battle reminds us that there’s is hope amid disease, thanks to advancements in treatment and cancer screenings.
• Early detection of prostate is important as it can help reduce the risk of cancer spreading to other organs. Screening for prostate cancer generally involves a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test and a digital rectal exam to feel the prostate gland. The prostate-specific antigen is a protein secreted by the prostate gland, large amounts of which can indicate prostate cancer.
• Though the PSA test is not always accurate and an elevated PSA test does not always mean you have prostate cancer, our experts maintain that these tests are helpful. Make sure to discuss your options with your doctors and decide what screening should look like for you.
• Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin previously wrote for SurvivorNet, that it’s “important that you surround yourself with individuals who care and support you throughout and after your treatment,” which she said can be an “arduous chapter.”

Iconic actor Robert De Niro, known for his roles in the films "Goodfellas" and "Taxi Driver," is thriving just 20 years after being diagnosed with prostate cancer, a disease which he beat as it was caught early on, and admittedly enjoying "all" aspects of fatherhood after welcoming his seventh child into the world last year. The 80-year-old "Goodfellas" star and his girlfriend Tiffany Chen wife became parents to their daughter Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro on April 6, 2023. De Niro also has six other [grown] children, his 52-year-old daughter Drena and 47-year-old son Raphael, whom he shares with his first wife Diahnne Abbott, his 28-year-old twin sons, whom he shares with his ex girlfriend Toukie Smith, and his 26-year-old son Eliot and 12-year-old daughter Helen Grace, both he shares with his former wife Grace Hightower.

Given De Niro's age, and the age ranges of his children, it's clear the octogenarian is well versed in fatherhood, something he recently described him self as "OK" at. While speaking on "TODAY" earlier this month, De Niro told the show's co-hosts, "I'm OK," followed by some laughter, when asked by Craig Melvin to describe how he is as a dad. In response to Al Roker's questions about how he is now versus when he was a young dad, De Niro said, " "Ask the older ones. Nothing is perfect in life as we all know, and my older kids, when they're older, they’re more critical," he explained. When they're young like the baby, that's pure joy, so I'm enjoying that." In an earlier interview with Entertainment Tonight , De Niro offered some insight into his daughter Gia's first birthday party, saying, "She had a little cake, it was very nice, sweet... Well, she's [Gia] pure joy, there's nothing about her, there's no judgment, there's no anything, she just is what she is and it's just pure joy for god sakes." RELATED: Secrets To Longevity: Cancer Survivor Jeff & Beau Bridges Say Respect and The Importance of Connected Family Have Made A Huge Difference In Their Lives In an interview with The Guardian in October 2023, De Niro also admitted that being a father "doesn't get easier" as he ages, adding, "you never know what's going to happen ... they surprise you." "It is what it is. It’s OK. I mean, I don't do the heavy lifting. I'm there, I support my girlfriend. But she does the work. And we have help, which is so important," he explained. When asked if he enjoyed being fatherhood, he insisted, "Of course I do... [I enjoy] all of it! With a baby it's different to with my 11-year-old. "My adult children. My grandchildren. It's all different." Meanwhile, De Niro also spoke with AARP back in February, saying his daughter Gia "has a very sweet kind of way of looking at you and just taking you in." He added, "They just look at you and take it in, so I don't know where it's gonna go with her later when she gets older, but she's thinking and she's observing everything and watching. "It's really interesting. I want to be around for as long as I can to enjoy it, enjoy her."

Robert De Niro's Cancer Journey

De Niro was diagnosed with prostate cancer at 60-years-old. According to the actor’s publicist, the cancer was caught during a routine PSA screening test (blood test for prostate cancer). He immediately went through treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

Due to the disease being caught during a routine check-up, it was in the earlier stages and De Niro was able to make a full recovery. Additionally, the actor’s publicist claims De Niro’s healthy lifestyle contributed to his speedy recover. RELATED: Prostate Cancer: Overview Initially the actor kept his battle with cancer out of the public eye, but after being in remission for a few years, he decided to go public as a way to urge men to start screening. The PSA screening test, also known as the PSA blood test, can be a valuable resource in catching prostate early.

Understanding Prostate Cancer

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, it's important to remember that most types of prostate cancers are treatable. According to the National Cancer Institute, the five-year survival rate of prostate cancer in the U.S. is 97.1%. There is, however, a small number of men whose type of prostate cancer may become unresponsive to treatment, for example, when cancer cells develop a resistance hormone therapy, the treatment may no longer work. Prostate cancer begins in the prostate the walnut-shaped gland located between the rectum and bladder that produces the fluid that nourishes sperm. Outside of skin cancers, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men with about one in eight men being diagnosed with this disease during his lifetime.

Helping Patients Understands Prostate Cancer Treatment Options

• If You Have a Family History of Prostate Cancer, Get Screened Early
• When Is High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Used in Prostate Cancer Treatment?
• New Drug for Advanced Prostate Cancer Gets Fast-Tracked by FDA; What You Need to Know About This Treatment
• The Gleason Score Predicts Prognosis and Treatment for Prostate Cancer

It’s important to remember a prostate cancer diagnosis is not always preceded by symptoms. And even when symptoms do occur, they can be inconsistent and hard to pinpoint. “Prostate cancer is a very odd disease in that it doesn’t have a particular symptom,” Dr. Edwin Posadas , director of translational oncology and the medical director of the Urologic Oncology Program at Cedars-Sinai, told SurvivorNet. Still, it’s important to note changes in urinary function, like urinating more or less often or waking up at night to go more than usual, could be a sign of prostate cancer. So, even if you think there’s nothing to worry about, always talk to your doctor about changes to your health when they occur. There are many different treatment options for both early and later-stage prostate cancer including active surveillance , watchful waiting , surgery, radiation, cryotherapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy. The disease is one where doctors may have differing opinions on the best treatment path to take, so don’t hesitate to ask lots of questions and seek out multiple opinions. Second (& Third) Opinions Matter When Deciding Between Surgery or Radiation “I think it behooves the patient to have multiple discussions or second opinions, not only by the urologist who did the biopsy and diagnosed that man, but also with other surgeons and other radiation oncologist just to get a very circumspect view of what the treatment options are,” Dr. Jim Hu , a urologic oncologist at Weill Cornell Medicine, told SurvivorNet. “Oftentimes, I think patients need to understand that our health system is based a lot on fee-for-service medicine. “And so therefore, a lot of physicians, I think, who are very well intentioned, will believe that their treatment is best for that particular man,” Dr. Hu added.

Finding Support During a Cancer Journey

Feeling supported during or after a cancer battle, like Robert De Niro has with his large family, is hugely beneficial. According to New York-based psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik , receiving the diagnosis "can be a very overwhelming experience" that requires finding support outside of your usual circles. Seeking Support: The First 3 Things to Do After a Cancer Diagnosis "Some people don't need to go outside of their family and friends circle. They feel like they have enough support there," Plutchik previously told SurvivorNet. "But for people who feel like they need a little bit more, it is important to reach out to a mental health professional." Dr. Plutchik recommends the following three steps for anyone who just found out they had cancer.

• Seek additional support if you need it. This might mean speaking to a mental health professional or finding a support group to join.
• If needed, find a mental health professional who has experience helping people dealing with things like cancer.
• Make sure your care team stays connected. Your care team may include your friends, loved ones, therapist and doctors.

Overall, know you're not alone and there are many people out there for you to be vulnerable with should you choose to open up about your cancer diagnosis. Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin previously wrote for SurvivorNet , that it's "important that you surround yourself with individuals who care and support you throughout your treatment," which she said can be an "arduous chapter." That being said, it's very important to know your limits on what you can handle during treatment. "Going through treatment is a very vulnerable and emotionally exhausting experience," she wrote. "Noticing what you have strength for and what is feeling like too much [is] extremely important to pay attention to as you navigate treatment." Family Love and Support Makes a World of Difference During Cancer Treatment Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff