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Patrick Swayze’s Passing and Pancreatic Cancer

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19 Comments

Last night we heard the news that Patrick Swayze passed away after a very public fight with pancreatic cancer. Swayze starred in many movies that became cult classics including Ghost, Road House and Dirty Dancing. He was 57 and is survived by his wife Lisa of 34 years.

Actor-Patrick-Swayze-001

Each year approximately 43,000 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and it is the 4th leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Pancreatic cancer is difficult to detect and diagnose because there aren?t any noticeable signs or symptoms in the early stages of pancreatic cancer. Often, when there are symptoms, they are easily confused with other ailments. Pancreatic cancer has an approximate 5% survival rate. Increased funding and clinical trial participation are imperative. The more we learn about this disease the better the chances for people diagnosed with this disease.*

LIVESTRONG is here for people facing pancreatic cancer. We provide information to help you make treatment decisions that are best for you. For information about treatment options, clinical trials, emotional support, physical concerns, insurance and financial questions and more, please go to www.livestrong.org/survivorcare or call our LIVESTRONG SurvivorCare Program us at 1-866-673-7205.

*Data from National Cancer Institute

  • http://www.facebook.com/rica.mendes Rica

    I loved Patrick Swayze in “Dirty Dancing”, not just for the “hunk” factor, but because of his grace and style. His dancing was something that I loved to watch. And to know such a graceful dancer was a born and bred Texas cowboy just made the allure even better. In “Ghost”, he showed amazing acting prowess, and in “To Wong Foo,” he demonstrated his amazing humor.

    I hated seeing those awful photos of him in the tabloids, and had to wonder why on EARTH would ANYONE criticize (or exaggerate) someone’s looks while battling such an aggressive disease. Thank goodness LIVESTRONG not only brings awareness to the disease, but helps fight the stigma.

    Ditto.

  • Will Simpson

    My father, Mike Simpson, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer shortly after Mr. Swayze. Daddy lost his fight in July of 2008. This disease is a killer, and one that many medical providers seem to give up on based on the low survival rate. Thank you, LIVESTRONG for the post on Pancreatic cancer. I have hope that Pancreatic cancer will someday conquered.

  • Wanda

    You have been a star in movies, but now you are a STAR in heaven. Prayers to your loved ones. We will miss you

  • Martha Spahr

    I agree with Ricca and I am sorry for the loss of your father, Will S. I lost my dad 3 years ago and I miss him every day.
    Patrick Swayze was a very dignified and honorable man. I know his wife has lost her soulmate. I pray for her to feel comfort and peace at this time (if that is possible).

  • Keri Hakan

    I just hope the media will respect his wife’s privacy. My husband was diagnosed with stageIV pancreatic cancer in Dec. 2007 & is doing fine today. He lives strong everyday! I want people to know that this cancer can be battled and lived with no matter what the statistics say. A person is not a statistic. We will conquer it. More funding is needed to find a cure for this cancer and more than one conventional treatment.

    Keri Hakan

  • Pat Culligan

    It’s so sad to see another person die from this terrible cancer. My Dad died with the same cancer after battling for 17 months and we miss him so much everyday. Patrick was so brave to fight such a public battle. Unfortunately the Irish government don’t see this cancer as such a lethal cancer and don’t seem to put any money into research. I hope we get this cancer under control before long.

  • Leslie Beebe

    I felt so badly about Patrick Swayze’s passing. When I was 16, my mom took my sister and me to see “Dirty Dancing”. Oh man! The first time you saw him on screen and he just lit it up! He was a man’s man. He fought like hell. My dad has lymphoma and we are blessed that he is doing so well. Like someone else posted, he is a star in heaven now. I hope his wife can somehow go on. I think she can.

  • Linda

    Patrick Swayze will be sadly missed. “Dirty Dancing” is when he totally caught my eye, but after following him and watching him through the years….I just love him and he touched my heart! He is/was great! RIP Patrick. I also want to say reading these posts my heart goes out to everyone who has to deal with this battle!

  • Jamie Knapke

    I hate the thought of another life lost to cancer. I would like to thank Keri for the statment that was made… a person is not a statistic! That is what my fathers doctor said when he diagnosed my father with stage IV Renal Cell (kidney) caner. My father is living strong everyday battling this horrible and non curable disease. I have always thought of my father as being strongest man I have ever known. That thought has grown even stronger over the past 14 months and continues everyday. There is hope and faith for everyone diagnosed, there now needs to be a cure!

  • Jeff

    Patrick served as a huge inspiration to our family. My brother was diagnosed in late March with stage four pancreatic cancer without showing any symptoms at all. He lost his battle quickly in early May, and would have been 57 in July. Seeing Patrick’s brave fight meant a lot and gave us hope for those few short weeks. His movies touched people, but I hope his family knows how much his example meant to those needing something, anything to hold on to while dealing with cancer. May his family and friends find comfort in this time of grief.

  • Aby

    I lost my father on Dec 26, 2002, from pancreatic cancer, after an almost 3 months fight. I know a research company came out with a traitment call Virulizin, this product is on trial now, I was able to get the traitment for my father, but once we received it at the hospital, it was already to late. I hope one day they will find a cure. From what I read so far, this cancer is still very rare compare to other cancer. For me it’s not a reason to not invest in it… because 1 person with a cancer is always to much for me. To all the people affect by cancer, please remember there’s a lot of people thinking of you everyday. I wish you all the best, and I hope one day they will have a cure. To Lisa is wife, I’m sending you a big hug, there’s no word that can help.

    Isa

  • Erin

    So sad to hear about his death. My great aunt just died of Pancreatic cancer, and her sister died of it several years ago. While they both outlived their estimated time of death, it is such a hard disease to diagnose early on. And it is such a painful thing to watch, knowing that they are suffering and even with the care of a nurse, it is just knowing that their days are numbered that makes it so hard. Prayers go out to his family.

  • nathaniel

    Thank you for posting this, he was truly a great actor. I wanted to share a heart-felt video called ?Share Your Heart?? . This video offers a chance to make a difference for the nearly 200,000 women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Please watch and then PLEASE visit DenimDay.com (http://www.denimday.com/) and get registered to participate in Lee National Denim Day in the fight against breast cancer. Thank you!!!

    Please share this with all of the women and loved ones you know.

    Best of wishes

  • Julie

    My heart and loving wishes go out to Lisa – take care of yourself, I watched the interview on TV and your relationship was inspiring to the end.

    Patrick was a magnanimous star throughout his career – thank you

    I have lost a family member to this awful disease and we will continue to livestrong and fight across the world for better, consistent treatment, no matter where you live.

  • Candy

    Very sad when I heard the news. I have always enjoyed watching Patrick and thought he was a great, versatile actor as well as an incredible dancer. My heart goes out to his wife and family, I know what you are going thru. I lost my husband of 34 years on 6/26/09 to NonHodgkins Lymphoma. He was diagnosed in 1/2008 and fought hard but was unable to beat it. He has a dedication on Livestrong also (Steven R. Prairie) Thank you Lance for fighting the good fight and encouraging us all…

  • http://www.pancan.org Michelle M.

    The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is a wonderful resource for information on pancreatic cancer, current clinical trials and patient support. There is a toll free phone number for the Patient and Liaison Services (PALS) team at 1-877-272-6226 or http://pancan.org/section_facing_pancreatic_cancer/oneonone_support/index.php.

  • http://blog.aadautech.com/ Nagaraj

    Pancreatic cancer has been brought to the forefront by the diagnoses of several prominent figures, including the late actor Patrick Swayze, who died of pancreatic cancer in September 2009, Apple cofounder and CEO Steve Jobs, and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The lifetime risks of pancreatic cancer is about 1 in 76. Pancreatic cancer ranks as the fourth deadliest cancer.

  • http://123pancreaticcancer.wordpress.com Pancreatic cancer blog

    let’s hope, there is a better cure for cancers, especially for pancreatic cancer, so there is no more “Patrick Swayze” in the future.

  • happytookno12

    My grandmother had a fight with Pancreatic Cancer. It was the hardest thing i ever saw someone go threw. She did the surgery and it was too late. The cancer spread to her other organs. She was given 7 mounths to live and lived a year with it. In April 2008 she died. I think that this type of cancer is wicked. I never would wish this on the person I hate the most in the world. R.I.P. To my Grandmother and all who had died from cancer. congratulations to those who have won the fight of cancer, and all those who are still fighting dont give up and know that I am praying for all of you!