Patrick Swayze Diagnosed with Cancer

About Patrick Swayze

Patrick Swayze is arguably best known for his role starring opposite Jennifer Grey in the 1987 film Dirty Dancing. Other memorable Swayze films include:

• To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar
• Ghost
• The Outsiders
• Young Blood

Known for his dancing prowess, especially after Dirty Dancing became such a huge hit, Swayze is actually a trained dancer. His mother, Patsy, is a choreographer and Patrick Swayze studied at the prestigious Joffrey Ballet School.

Cancer Rumors

Awhile back, The National Enquirer ran a story about the 55 year old actor's pancreatic cancer diagnosis, claiming that he only had weeks to live and that the disease had taken such a physical toll on his body that he could not continue to work.

Reps for Swayze are claiming that this story is grossly exaggerated and that although he does have pancreatic cancer, the actor continues to be in good health, considering. Swayze has also been carrying on with his work and has a film Powder Blue and a made for TV movie The Beast slated for release later on this year.

Prognosis Unknown

Although reps for Swayze have confirmed the actor is battling one of the most deadly forms of cancer, they say that he is "…responding well to treatment." Swayze is currently receiving chemotherapy treatment at Stanford University's cancer center. Reps for Swayze also stated that they are more "optimistic" about his prognosis than what The National Enquirer was reporting. According to the American Cancer Society, Pancreatic cancer places fourth in the number of cancer related deaths among both men and women.