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 …read more

Reports are speculating that North Korean leader Kim Jong II has pancreatic cancer. His health has been rumored to be poor for months, despite denials from South Korea’s Unification Ministry. Rumors were once again sparked after the 67-year old appeared at a public ceremony July 8th.

The website cancer.org reports the odds of a person getting pancreatic cancer during their lifetime as “1 in 76 (1.31%).” It is a difficult disease to detect early, however, pancreatic cancer rates have dropped over the past two decades.
Image: Zuma Press

Young adults who are overweight or obese run a higher risk of developing deadly pancreatic cancer and older people who are obese and who develop pancreatic cancer have a lower survival rate, say researchers.

A study done by researchers at the University of Texax M.D. Anderson Cancer Center looked at 841 patients who had pancreatic cancer and 754 healthy individuals, looked at weight, body mass index (BMI), ages, number of people who developed pancreatic cancer, survival rates, and smoking status.
A press release, issued by the JAMA and Archives Journal, which published the study findings:
The researchers found that individuals who …read more

In November 2008, Washington State became the second state in the United States to allow for doctor-assisted suicide. The first was Oregon, which has had this law since 1997. Currently, a third state, Montana, has such a law as well, but it’s before the Montana Supreme Court for final judgment.
According to this article, Washington state to enact assisted suicide law , written earlier this year, this law allows for “aided dying,” not “euthanasia” or “assisted suicide”:
“Aided dying is neither euthanasia nor suicide,” said Terry Barnett, president of the Washington branch of Compassion & Choices advocacy group.
“It’s not euthanasia because …read more

Did you know that in the state of Washington, assisted suicide is legal? Now, a 66-year old woman who was diagnosed last month with pancreatic cancer has used that law. Linda Fleming “took her prescribed medication and died Thursday evening at home with her family, her dog and her physician.”

Fleming said the increased pain medications she took affected her mind and alertness. She said, “I am a very spiritual person, and it was very important to me to be conscious, clear-minded and alert at the time of my death.”
I’m not sure how I feel about assisted suicide. …read more

I’m having a very rainy Sunday and a gloomy weekend altogether. Since I haven’t done Cancer Commentary links for quite sometime, here’s today’s edition:
1. In Calgary (Canada), the city is turning pink today to fight breast cancer.
The Weekend to End Breast Cancer kicks off its second day today, with 1,400 men and women back on Calgary streets, completing the final 25 kilometres of the 60-kilometre route.
This year’s walk — the fourth in Calgary — has raised more than $4 million, with proceeds going to the Tom Baker Cancer Centre.
2. As if we do not have enough cancer scare yet this …read more

It must be difficult to be Steve Jobs. Rumors that his cancer might be back pulled down Apple’s stock to as much as 12 percent on Tuesday.
Then, just reports that Steve Jobs has told associates he is cancer-free — shares of Apple jumped nearly 3 percent the very next day!
According to reports, Jobs is having nutritional problems due to pancreatic cancer surgery he had four years ago while Apple remains adamant that Steve Jobs’ state of health is a private matter.
Well…the guy must be having a tough time, cancer-free or not. However, a person of his stature can make the …read more

It looks like Patrick Swayze is fighting a good fight with his pancreatic cancer — which is really great news to hear.
All over the news are the following words this weekend by Patrick Swayze that is hopeful:
“…a miracle, dude.”
I don’t know why. I am juicing every day along with other treatments and all I can say is that it’s working fine and really well.”
The actor, according to reports has been undergoing chemotherapy and the new CyberKnife (robotic radiosurgery system) for the pancreatic cancer he was diagnosed with in March.
It’s really inspiring to see him up and about and getting back …read more

It is good to know that Patrick Swayze is holding up despite his battle with pancreatic cancer.
Seems like Patrick is not allowing his cancer to stop him from doing one thing he loves: acting.
The star of such hit films as “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost” is going forward with plans to begin working on a new cable television series later this year despite being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March.
Cancer experts applaud his decision to continue working, saying that nothing he could do, physically, will speed the pace of cancer and that working could even benefit him mentally.
I agree. Going back …read more

Good news to all readers here wanting to hear the latest on Patrick Swayze since his cancer announcement.
On Friday night, he appeared in public: FOXNews has the photo and story.
Swayze took time off from his grueling chemotherapy regimen to take in Friday night’s NBA playoff game in Los Angeles between the Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs.
Although Swayze’s usually ripped physique seems somewhat shrunken by his fight, he appears to be holding his own against the usually aggressive cancer that often kills within weeks.
It’s just great seeing him holding it out, don’t you think? All the best.