Patrick Swayze Dies of Cancer at 57

Beloved star Patrick Swayze has died of pancreatic cancer. He has been fighting the disease for the last 20 months. Swayze was the star of Dirty Dancing, Ghost, and many other film roles. He was only 57 years old.

He was no stranger to health issues. He “broke both legs in 1997 while making the film “Letters From a Killer,” and went into rehab for a drinking problem.” In 2000 he was flying a plan when it depressurized and landed in a housing development.

His last acting role was as part of A&E’s The Beast. The show took 12 hours and a day and included Swayze doing his own stunts. He said it was exhausting but was happy he was continuing his life’s work of acting. The show was cancelled in June after Swayze found out the cancer had spread in his body, entering the liver.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive types there is. According to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, “about 29,000 people living in the United States are diagnosed each year.” Symptoms include:

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
• Digestive problems, including abnormal stools, nausea, or vomiting
• Pain in the upper abdomen which can extend to your back
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Sudden weight loss
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Swollen gallbladder (usually found by your doctor during a physical exam)
• Blood clots
• Diabetes

Image: Zuma Press