Back in January we covered reports that Paul Newman was battling lung cancer, to which he responded that the only things he was getting treatment for were hair loss and athlete’s foot. Five months later and it seems that he’s looking very frail, and more news agencies are suggesting that the lifelong smoker does have lung cancer. His rep has a cryptic statement from the man.

“Newman says he’s doing nicely,” his spokesman, Jeff Sanderson, said in a message emailed to media outlets today in answer to queries about the cancer reports.

Reached by telephone in his Los Angeles office, Sanderson declined to elaborate or give further details.

“This is what I got from him. He says he’s doing nicely, and this is the statement I wanted to share with you, and that’s what I have,” Sanderson told Reuters.

“I spoke to his office. … this is the statement that came directly from him.”

Sydney Morning Herald

That is very cryptic, but what you come to expect from a legend like Paul Newman. OK! Magazine actually says that the rep called the reports ‘not true’, but I haven’t been able to find this elsewhere.

As well as being a great actor, he also has a successful range of ‘Paul Newman’s Own’ salad dressings, cookies and organic food products. Adding speculation that he is unwell is that he has just turned over his $120million share in the company to charity.

Paul is now 83 years old, so he might just be scaling back into proper retirement. Hopefully this is the case, since it isn’t unusual for people to live well into their 90s.

Paul and his wife Joanne Woodward celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in January, which I think means they aren’t allowed back into Hollywood. They live in Westport, Connecticut currently. He was just the most attractive man in his prime, and is still working now. His last film role was the voice of Doc Hudson in Cars.

Paul Newman is shown in the header in a still from a Barbara Walters interview this spring, thanks to Splash.

Patrick Swayze is returning to work, in a new show on the A&E network titled The Beast. The show will debut in 2009, which suggests a good long term outlook for Patrick. Filming begins this summer.

Swayze will star in the police drama The Beast alongside Aussie actor and former Tarzan star Travis Fimmel, where the Dirty Dancing star plays a veteran FBI agent teaching his rookie partner (Fimmel) the ropes.

In a statement from the network, the 55-year-old actor said: “I have searched for quite a long time to find a character that is this multi-layered, unpredictable and downright entertaining, as well as a project this current and cutting edged.”

Fox News

It almost sounds like this character will do for Patrick what Dr House did for Hugh Laurie.

Patrick and his wife Lisa Niemi have been seen out since his diagnosis, and in late May released a statement saying he was doing well, and had been on holidays in Mexico. He and his wife were photographed at a Lakers game a few days before this statement.

I hope that Patrick will be one of the 5% of Pancreatic cancer patients who live for many years following his diagnosis. Like many people suffering from a terminal illness, Patrick got his affairs in order with a living will, and like many people who go into remission they realize how precious life is and change the way they live their lives. These career plans suggest to me that he plans on enjoying every day of his remaining life, no matter how long it might be. It’s a wonderful lesson to learn, hopefully everyone can develop a bit of this attitude, the joy of life can so easily get lost in the daily grind.

Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi are shown at the opening of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on 11/16/07, thanks to WENN.

Patrick Swayze, 55, and his wife of 23 years, Lisa Niemi, 52, were spotted out together at a Lakers playoff game in LA on Friday. It was Swayze’s first public appearance since he announced his diagnosis and treatment for pancreatic cancer in March. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly cancers.

Swayze gave a statement to People Magazine that shows how he’s enjoying life and is responding well to treatment:

“Thought I’d give you guys a little update. Lisa and I have been back and forth from New Mexico enjoying the arrival of spring and new baby calves. This past weekend, we spent a fun time with friends in Reno for Lisa’s birthday, where I took her jewelry shopping at Kenny G & Company and (we) were able to find her something really special and much deserved! In the meantime, I am continuing treatment at Stanford and the great news is I continue to respond well.”

[From People.com]

When we mentioned Patrick on Monday, we also included a video clip of the popular “Last Lecture” given by Carnegie Mellon professor and pancreatic sufferer, Randy Pausch. Dr. Pausch is an inspiration for his candid advice, his outspoken nature, and his realistic but positive outlook on his prognosis. He says that he has just months to live, but like Patrick Swayze, Pausch is living his life and cherishing his family while he can. You can see his status and updates on his blog.

Yesterday I learned that a friend of mine from the states had died in a tragic accident over the weekend. Before I heard this news, I read the very sad and moving statement from Xzibit about the loss of his premature son. This comes after the terrible human loss and tragedies in China and Myanmar, which have been very much on my mind. I would like to post Xzibit’s statement here because I found his words very meaningful and they bring tears to my eyes:

AS you all know, I shared with you the announcment of my newborn son Xavier Kingston Joiner on may 15th and also informed you that he was born prematurly. well this week was extremly difficult for him because his lungs were not strong enough to handle regular oxygen on his own. Xavier passed away this morning at 3:30am and I must tell you this, It is unatural for a parent to bury a child. I am telling you this because of the same reason I tell you when im having great times, life is too short to be fake. Hold on to your kids if you have them, protect them and show them you love them everyday you wake up and see them, dont take a second you get to hug them teach them and care for them for granted. You can have all the material wealth in the universe but it is NOTHING compared to having your family. I am thankful for all of my blessings and im not one to question God’s perfect plan, so I leave you with great love and thanks for the love that was sent earlier on my pervious blog to my son. Of course I need to take some time and handle my loss, STAY FOCUSED PEOPLE. Its not promised to any of us.

[From Xzibit's myspace via Celebrity Baby Scoop]

I’m not a religious person and would consider myself agnostic, but things like this make me think of God and what’s in store for us. Hang in there Patrick Swayze and Dr. Pausch. Hang in there everyone, and cherish your families because no day is promised to us or the ones we love.

Patrick Swayze may be fighting pancreatic cancer, but that isn’t keeping him from enjoying life. The 55 year-old Dirty Dancing star was seen with his wife, Lisa Niemi, out at an NBA playoff game between the Lakers and San Antonio Spurs on Friday. He was thinner but looked great. It’s so nice to see Swayze out.

47 year-old Carnegie Mellon processor Randy Pausch is a married father of three who is also suffering from pancreatic cancer and admits doctors give him just months to live. His “Last Lecture” in which he said goodbye to his students last September was viewed millions of times online, made into a book, and was reprised on Oprah. He says “Although I’m going to die soon, I’m actually physically very strong.” In his talk about achieving childhood dreams, he advises us to work hard and be persistent, value people over things, and keep a positive attitude.

Thanks to The Huffington Post for these photos.

It gives you a chill to hear about all the celebrity women who have faced breast cancer, many of whom take years to discuss their private battle with the illness. About two weeks ago Sex and The City star Cynthia Nixon went public with the fact that she underwent a lumpectomy and radiation in 2006 at the age of 40 after doctors found a small cancerous lump on a routine mammogram. Nixon is the new spokesperson for the Susan J Komen breast cancer foundation and emphasizes the importance of regular checkups with a gynecologist.

Now Sopranos star Edie Falco is talking more about the fact that she too underwent treatment for breast cancer while she was working on the popular series. She says she didn’t tell anyone at work because she didn’t want them to be worried about her. It sounds like she was undergoing chemo and that it was very difficult for her:

WHEN Edie Falco was battling breast cancer in 2003, she never told any of her “The Sopranos” co-stars. She tells the new issue of Health magazine: “I kept my diagnosis under the radar, even from the cast and crew, because well-meaning people would have driven me crazy asking, ‘How are you feeling?’ I would have wanted to say, ‘I’m scared, I don’t feel so good, and my hair is falling out!’ I bucked up, put on my Carmela fingernails, and was ready to work.” Meanwhile, Falco recently adopted her second child, a baby girl, reports In Touch.

[From Page Six]

Falco did come out with the news earlier. In August, 2004 she revealed that she was given the “all clear” by doctors after completing treatment some five months prior.

Other celebrity breast cancer survivors include Sheryl Crowe, Melissa Etheridge, Kylie Minogue, Gloria Steinem, Kate Jackson, Olivia Newton John, Jaclyn Smith, Suzanne Somers, Rue McClanahan, and Lynn Redgrave. About 1 in every 8 women worldwide will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Survival rates for all ages are from 81 - 86%.

Edie Falco is shown at the premiere of Tenessee at the Tribeca Film Festival on 4/26/08, thanks to PRPhotos.

Good Morning America viewers who have been following host Robin Roberts’ ongoing battle with breast cancer were surprised by her new look this week. The courageous news anchor, who underwent chemotherapy last year that resulted in hair loss which she covered up with a wig, showed off her regrown natural hair. It’s cropped short, to be sure, but it looks a lot better than the wig.

ABC anchor Robin Roberts has ditched the wig post chemo and she is even sexier. The “Good Morning America” anchor unveiled a new look on Monday’s broadcast and she looks fantastic. After being diagnosed with breast cancer and starting chemotherapy last fall, the “GMA” anchor shaved her head and donned a wig to look like her old self on the show each morning.

Now that is no longer necessary. “Don’t adjust your set,” she told viewers. “This is it — this is the new me — get used to it!” Is she kidding, she looks great and we love it. “I’ve worn the wig to cling to the past … but now it’s time to accept and embrace who I am now,” Roberts told colleague Diane Sawyer.

In July of last year, Roberts announced during the live broadcast of Good Morning America that she had been diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer. She noticed a lump through self-examination.

So now that Roberts has retired the wig she had been wearing on the air while receiving chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer what will she do with it? ABC News reports that Roberts plans to auction it off for charity.

[From The National Ledger]

I never cared for Robin’s wig, but I can certainly understand why she wore it. She has conducted herself with a great deal of class and dignity throughout her battle with cancer, and it couldn’t have been easy to go through it so publicly. Kudos to Robin, and let’s hope her recovery and remission continue.

Beloved Scottish actor Ewan McGregor had a cancerous mole removed from below his right eye. The Huffington Post has a comparison of his face before and after two moles were removed. The one under his eye was cancerous.

In an interview with the BBC, he said “I had a little skin cancer under here, under my eye.”

“I just went to have them checked. You have to be careful if you’re pale skinned and you’ve spent time in the sun with moles, so I went to a specialist who thought they were better to be removed and indeed he was correct.”

He said “Everything’s fine. It’s all good [now]” He said he didn’t have moments of panic and that it was just something he had to keep in check.

As for whether he’ll get back on his motorcycle for another big trip, McGregor said he rides his bike every day, but that he’s focusing on his films for now. McGregor took a three month trip around Europe on his bicycle with his friend Charley Boorman and a cameraman in 2004. Their journey was made into a TV series and a book, and they visited some of UNICEF’s local work on the way. They took another three month trip last year from Scotland to South Africa.

McGregor, 37, has been married to French production designer Eva Marvrakis, since 1995 and they have three daughters, Clara, 12, Esther, 6, and Jamiyan, 6. Jamiyan was adopted from Mongolia, and Ewan met her when he was on his motorcycle trip.

McGregor makes it a policy not to talk about his family in interviews, and prefers to keep that part of his life private.

I don’t think I’m alone in swooning over this guy. He didn’t volunteer the information about his cancerous mole - the interviewer specifically asked about it because she noticed that his moles were gone since he made the film Deception, which he’s promoting. It’s an erotic thriller also starring Michelle Williams and Hugh Jackman and is out on Friday in the US, UK, Australia and Russia.

Here’s the trailer, it looks good!

Ewan McGregor and his wife, Eva Marvrakis, are shown at the Hampstead Theatre Spring Gala on 3/13/08, thanks to WENN. Ewan is shown below at the Empire Awards on 3/9/08, thanks to PRPhotos.

[Details from BBC and Wikipedia]

Cynthia Nixon and girlfriend Christine Marinoni on 4/9/08, thanks to WENN
Sex and The City actress Cynthia Nixon, 42, is the new ambassador for the Susan G Komen For The Cure organization. Nixon’s mother is a two time breast cancer survivor, and Nixon herself was diagnosed with the disease in 2006. She said she’s been getting regular mamograms since she was 35, and that a small cancerous lump was found on her mammogram when she was 40. She had a lumpectomy and 6 weeks of radiation, and it sounds like she is now cancer free.

In a series of videos on the Susan G Komen organization’s website, Nixon talks about the importance of regular mammograms and early detection. She says that breast cancer is a disease that has touched so many lives and that she wants to help bring awareness to the cause. Nixon also talks about how gay women need to be aware of the importance of early breast cancer detection because they’re not as focused on birth control and reproductive issues and are less likely to make frequent visits to the gynecologist.

Nixon has a new interview with Cynthia McFadden, a portion of which was broadcast on Good Morning America this morning. She talked about discovering breast cancer early and was very matter-of-fact about getting it found, treated and under control. Nixon said she didn’t disclose her breast cancer when it was first diagnosed because she didn’t want the paparazzi to be outside the hospital while she was undergoing treatment.

McFadden asked her if she really was that calm about having cancer, and she said she was and that’s just the way she is, but that her girlfriend was very panicked about it and ate to cope. Nixon said that her two kids call her girlfriend of four years, education activist Christine Marinoni, “mom” but that they call her “mommy” too. Sometimes they just say “mom” to get both of them to pay attention.

As to how Nixon told her kids about her cancer diagnosis, she said she explained it to them clearly, calmly and simply.

Nixon also says that her show “Sex and The City” handled the character Samantha’s breast cancer very well.

Here’s the clip, thanks to monkeyboy on Redlasso.

Patrick Swayze, who has pancreatic cancer, is having an ‘excellent’ response to his experimental treatment.

“We’re thrilled and grateful for the positive response Patrick has shown towards his treatment,” the Dirty Dancing star and wife Lisa Niemi tell People.

“Also, we can’t help but feel that all the prayers, meditations and good thoughts sent his way by everyone has made a difference. Thank you!” said the couple.

His physician, Dr. George Fisher, added: “Patrick Swayze continues to respond well to his treatment for pancreatic cancer. Because of his excellent response, he will continue the same therapy at Stanford.”

People

The drug Patrick is reportedly taking is called Vatalanib which blocks the growth and spread of cancer by affecting the molecules that turn normal cells into cancer cells. He has also undergone chemotherapy. Experimental treatment is generally only performed on terminally ill patients, although Patrick’s reps say that suggestions he has only weeks to live aren’t true.

While Patrick may not be close to death, pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis. The five year survival rate ranges between 5% and 25%, depending on how advanced the cancer is when diagnosed.

I’m glad to hear he is doing well, and hopefully we’ll get more reports like this over the coming years.

Kylie Minogue has been out talking about her breast cancer, and two things about it have really struck true with me. First, is that she has not been given the all clear from doctors yet, that she still has to have regular checks.

“It’s not over,” quotes the Sunday Mirror, “I still go for regular check-ups. The ‘voyage’ doesn’t end suddenly. That’s why it’s so difficult to talk about it.”

However, despite admitting some of her management team feared her decision to announce her condition in May 2005 could harm her career, Kylie says she’s sure she made the right decision in going public.

“It’s wonderful to know that in talking about it, I’m perhaps helping women, families and also some men with breast cancer,” she explains.

Entertainmentwise

Secondly, that she was misdiagnosed initially and told everything was fine, and she only discovered the tumor on a second investigation.

“Listen, this is an opportunity for me to say something that I have not said before,” a nervous Minogue said.

“I was misdiagnosed initially.

“So my message to all of you and everyone at home is, because someone is in a white coat and using big medical instruments doesn’t necessarily mean they are right.”

Minogue did not give the date of the misdiagnosis, how long she went before the second check or if the misdiagnosis occurred in Australia or Britain.

But, she said the misdiagnosis happened before she embarked on her Showgirl concert tour.

Sydney Morning Herald

This is so important, to not feel intimidated when you go to see your doctor. If you feel something is wrong with your body, then something probably is. There is no need to feel embarrassed by getting a second opinion, or coming back for further tests. If your doctor makes you feel stupid, tell him he’s not doing his job properly by making you feel that way and get a new doctor.

Kylie also took the time to point out that getting married and having babies would be marvelous, but that she doesn’t “absolutely have to have children to make my life complete”.

Kylie is currently promoting her new album, titled X. She turns 40 in May.

Kylie Minogue is shown at The Brit Awards on 2/20/08, thanks to PRPhotos.