Patrick Swayze battles cancer
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 Hollywood actor Patrick Swayze is facing the battle of his life after being diagnosed the most deadly forms of cancer, but the determined star has bravely vowed to keep working during the battle. His doctor last night confirmed the Dirty Dancing and Ghost star was being treated for pancreatic cancer, but denied claims that the 55-year-old had just five weeks left to live. His spokesperson Annett Wolf said: "Patrick is continuing his normal schedule during this time, which includes working on upcoming projects.” The industry has rallied around him, with his former Red Dawn co-star Lea Thompson saying: “I've know him for so long, he's a great guy and I love him so much. “He will be resilient – us dancers are tough!” American cable channel A&E are considering commissioning a TV pilot, called The Beast, which stars the actor. In a statement, to People magazine, the network said the show is "in contention to become one of the new drama series on the network.” “However, at this time all of our thoughts are solely with Patrick and his family. We are all wishing for a speedy recovery to a truly gifted actor." Sufferers of pancreatic cancer typically have a survival rate of less than five per cent. Patients diagnosed with the most common form of pancreatic cancer rarely survive. However there are other rarer forms which patients can recover from if it is detected early enough and they receive surgery straight away. It is very difficult to diagnose this type of cancer as the pancreas is so deep within the body and symptoms vary depending on the exact location of the tumour. It is mainly a disease which affects middle-aged and older patients. There are around 7,000 new cases in the UK each year. Italian singer Luciano Pavarotti died in September last year at the age of 71 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Doctors told the tenor he had the disease in July 2006, five months after his last performance. He underwent five bouts of chemotherapy before doctors told him there was nothing else they could do to cure him. |
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