No, you read correctly on both counts. Patrick Swayze, who is known mostly for his roles in movies such as Red Dawn, Dirty Dancing, Road House, and Ghost, is currently working on a pilot for a new A&E drama series. And, this is still going on despite the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.
According to doctors treating the actor, his continued participation in the pilot process can take place because he has a very limited amount of disease and seems to be responding to treatment. I'm not a doctor, but I would think "very limited amount of disease" translates to the fact that they caught the cancer early enough. Representatives for Swayze say that he is continuing his normal schedule, which includes working on the pilot The Beast. The show, still under consideration by A&E, focuses on Patrick as an unorthodox FBI veteran.
While I mentioned that Swayze is known mostly for his movie roles he does have past history with television. In 1981 he was cast as a soldier with leukemia on M*A*S*H. Later that decade he starred as Orry Main in the ABC mini-series North and South and its sequel. His most famous television role is most likely his Chippendale's dance sequence with Chris Farley on Saturday Night Live.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
3-06-2008 @ 1:00AM
Phish said...
pancreatic cancer is the most fatal of all cancers. survival chances are at 2%.
i hope they did catch it very early and thus increasing his chances by a huge margin.
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3-06-2008 @ 1:35AM
Oreo said...
Well it's still better than the rumor he only had 5 weeks to live, still bad through.
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3-06-2008 @ 5:38AM
WILLEM STERNBERG DE BEER said...
PLEASE MAKE CERTAIN THAT THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION REACH MR SWAYZE . PLEASE , THIS IS NOT A JOKE ,IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT. IT HAS BEEN CLAIMED THAT BITTER APRICOT KERNELS INCLUDED IN ONES DIET CAN CURE OR PREVENT CANCERS .THESE KERNELS ARE RICH IN VITAMIN B17 WHICH CAN PREVENT AND OR CURE CANCER BY ATTACKING CANCEROUS CELLS . THE VITAMIN IS DISASTEROUSLY SHORT IN THE DIETS OF MOST WESTERN SOCIETIES . ANY SEARCH FACILITY ON THE INTERNET WILL DISLAY ALL THE SOURCES NEEDED TO INVESTIGATE MY CLAIMS . SIMPLY TYPE ''BITTER APRICOT KERNELS AND CANCER CURE'' OR ''VIT B17 AND CANCER CURE '' IN THE SEARCH COLUMN . I TRUST MR SWAYZE WILL COMPLETELY RECOVER , WHICHEVER ROUTE HE FOLLOWS TO ACHIEVE THIS .
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3-06-2008 @ 7:28AM
Bash said...
Could somebody please delete this?
3-06-2008 @ 1:39PM
stephanie said...
I'm not sure where you got your news from, but http://www.rxpgnews.com/health/food/article_4037.shtml says this:
"Apricot seeds are thought to fight cancer, but researchers say eating too many of the bitter kernels could seriously harm your health.
Bitter apricot kernels are thought to contain high levels of vitamin B17, known as laetrile, which has been described as an immune system-booster and even as a cancer treatment.
Natural food retailer Julian Graves - which has 280 British outlets - said last January that it was the country's first high street retailer to stock the "controversial" product. The seeds are also available in Britain via specialist websites.
But Britain's Food Standards Agency says it could be poisonous if eaten in large quantities, reported the online edition of the Daily Mail.
The seeds can produce cyanide and could be fatal in high doses over a short period of time, the government's food watchdog warned.
A maximum of two bitter apricot kernels may be safely eaten in one day, it said. Julian Graves pulled the seeds from shop shelves after it was found selling packs with a recommended daily dosage of up to 10 kernels."
3-12-2008 @ 4:39AM
Alan Aubele said...
I had cancer very similar to Patrick's and I was given 6 months to live. I was 18 years old when the doctors told my parents that devasting diagnosis. My parents went out and researced thousands of medical books. Including books about healing naturally in conjunction with standard chemo-therapy. VitaminB17 as it's called comes from apricots. I got it in healthfood stores. I believe it did aid in my recovery from a terminal cancer. I was diagnosed in 1981 initially and given 6 months to live. Now I'm writing this desperate letter to Patrick's family to let him know that I'm a survivor here in 2008. When I was sick for 4 straight years, All I wanted was to talk to someone who had beaten this terrible disease. I never found anyone. I'm here, I know know what he's going through. If he needs to know of a survivor, you're talking to one. And I thank God for it. Foralan517@aol.com
3-06-2008 @ 5:42AM
vidal said...
He will live! I know he will make it, if we all say a prayer for him! come on lads, be useful for once, send your prayers out to the Man Upstairs, let's be heard!
Peace.
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3-06-2008 @ 6:48AM
Will said...
Wasn't it pancreatic cancer that took Michael Landon's life? I know it's been a long time ago, Carson was still doing the Tonight Show, but was near the end of his 30-years, so it must have been around 1990. I need to look it up to refresh my memory, but I'm sure it was either pancreatic or stomach cancer and he was right about Swayze's age. I just remember that it got him really quickly, but I think they found it late because he put off going to the doctor. Let's hope they did indeed find it early in this case, too many people don't and as the first poster said, it's a pretty wicked form with a grim prognosis.
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3-06-2008 @ 10:50AM
Lisa said...
I believe you are right. It also recently took Luciano Pavarotti's life. It is a terribly deadly disease.
3-06-2008 @ 7:15AM
brighteyes said...
Keep a positive outlook! I was diagnosed
with pancreatic cancer in 2003. I underwent
whipple surgery and months of chemo and
radiation afterwards. This June will mark
5 years since that time. Hang tough and
my prayers are with him.
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3-07-2008 @ 4:48AM
osvetlana said...
Stephanie and Brighteyes ,
My father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last month. We are doing everything to find the way to help him.
Stephanie could you help me to contact that man who survived pancreatic cancer.
Brighteyes, can you contact me please.
My mail is osvetlana@yahoo.com.
I wish Patrick all the best!
Be strong, Patrick
Thank you in advance
3-06-2008 @ 11:26AM
Lori Jones said...
Whatever God has instore for Swayze (and Dear Lord, please be kind), I think it's important everyone know that in his movies and fine actions/morals in "Hollywood" Patrick Swayze has brought wonderful feelings to many. He seems "real" and he is talented enough on screen to add romance and hope to an unemotional lifestyle. Even though most men won't admit, Dirty Dancing gets ir blood bubbling also! I am very proud to remain a fan!
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3-06-2008 @ 1:17PM
Stephanie said...
Hello -
I was getting an MRI of my fractured vertebrae days ago. A woman came in to set up an appointment for her husband who survived both LUNG and PANCREATIC cancer!
If some news agency has contact information - I would like to relay the man's contact information so Patrick could speak with him.
Thank you!
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3-06-2008 @ 2:24PM
maria ord said...
I was lucky enough to meet patrick at the apollo theatre in london he came across as such a lovely person . my mother died of pancreatic cancer in 2004 so i undrestand how aggressive this cancer can be , patrick you are in thoughts and prayers , A true fan of yours , watching you on stage in guys and dolls warmed mt heart and gave me lifelong memories
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3-06-2008 @ 3:37PM
Annie said...
So many products out there. Another one is Essiac.
Tried it for one thing, but has properties for many other things.
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3-06-2008 @ 7:32PM
Jennifer said...
I am a fan and I hope he survives and thrives.
That said...given the type of cancer it is, this TV idea might uh...yeah. Maybe they should recast. At the very least, the guy's gonna be busy getting treated for cancer for awhile, you know?
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3-06-2008 @ 11:29PM
Shirley Dumas said...
Patrick I am 60 yr old woman who adores you and want you to know that my son had (rhabdomyosarcome) AGRESSIVE type of cancer. That was a year ago and his Dr. wanted to take more cancer out and do all the cancer therapy. He said no. Drs. said you are a fool. He went out and search and our prayers were answered. He found treatments that I cannot mention here. And in January his pet test came back neg. So the Dr said it is a miracle because I cannot find any cancer in your body.
That was his 3rd opinion Dr.
So Patrick don't let the radiation and chemo kill you.
Oxygen kills cancer cells.
If you get this contact me personally.
God Bless
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3-08-2008 @ 12:08AM
Brett said...
Hi
I spent 22 years in The U.S. Army. Retired in 2002. I survived many things, cancer twice.
In Oct 2005 I was told I had pancreatic cancer, Oct 25th I had my operation I am writing this today. Yes there is hope and always a chance. I was treated at the Naval Medical center in San Diego.
Good luck
Brett Seliger
U.S. Army retired
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3-08-2008 @ 9:52PM
carol m said...
My life companion is also fighting pancreatic cancer, and he is being given exceptional treatment in Pittsburgh, through the Hillman Cancer Center. To Patrick and his wife: please ignore the statistics....the only case that matters is your own, and the best tool you have is your attitude. People can and do survive this horrible disease, medical advances are being made and there are clinical trials to investigate, if you have not already done so. If you would like to contact me, I would be happy to provide any info I have, along with prayers and positive energy.
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3-09-2008 @ 6:20PM
Melissa said...
A group get well card has been started for Patrick. Please stop by and leave a personal message. Thank you.
http://www.squidnote.com/c/DrFmJ1_2g9P
- Melissa
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