Actor Patrick Swayze has reportedly given up chemotherapy
Cancer-stricken movie star Patrick Swayze has reportedly given up all medical treatment.
The 56-year-old is said to have made the decision after doctors told him there was little they could do to stop the progress of his illness, according to reports from US magazine The National Enquirer.
The Dirty Dancing star was diagnosed twelve months ago with pancreatic cancer, one of the most virulent forms of the disease.
Medical experts say most patients have less than six months to live after being diagnosed with such cancer.
Swayze had been determined to fight but earlier this month suffered a setback when he was admitted to hospital with pneumonia.
He was released on January 16 after a week under doctors' supervision.
The magazine claimed the Ghost star was now growing increasingly weak.
A family friend told the Enquirer: 'There's nothing more doctors can do for him.
'We are down to the wire and the goal now is to keep Patrick comfortable.
'His condition is inoperable and they have stopped the chemo. He's still losing weight and he's very weak.'
The friend added: 'Patrick regards himself as a cowboy, and is determined to die with his boots on and no regrets.'
In an interview earlier this month Swayze spoke of his prognosis, with the words: ‘I’d say five years is wishful thinking. Two years seems likely if you’re going to believe the statistics.’
Patrick Swayze and his wife Lisa Niemi discuss his battle with pancreatic cancer with Barbara Walters
But he remained defiant, adding: ‘There's more I want to do. Lots more. I want to last until they find a cure.'
Swayze told ABC television's Barbara Walters that his year-long battle with cancer had put him 'through hell' while he pushed on with his new TV series.
He also owned up to his fear: 'Yeah, I'm scared. Yeah, I'm angry. Yeah, I'm (asking), 'Why me?'
The acknowledgment that his time was limited was a departure from the upbeat approach the star had adopted over previous months.
Despite the disease, Swayze had accepted a part as an under-cover FBI agent in a Chicago TV series called The Beast and refused to use painkillers in case it affected his performance. The program debuted on US television this week.
Swayze first realised his health was failing a year ago as he celebrated the start of 2008 with his wife Lisa Niemi, and found it painful to drink champagne.
The actor first found global fame as dance instructor Johnny Castle in the 1987 hit movie Dirty Dancing
Doctors found that Swayze had a malignant tumour in his pancreas. As it had spread to his liver, he was told surgery was not an option.
A spokesperson for the star was unavailable for comment on Wednesday night.
But a family friend said: 'He is touched by the flood of support from fans all over the world.
Dr Judy Kuriansky, a leading clinical psychologist who has not treated Swayze, said: 'When you are as determined an individual as Swayze, you want to have some control over how you spend your last days. I am sure he will summon every last vestige of strength to fulfill his desire.'
The news comes as it was announced that Swazye and his wife are penning a memoir of his life.Original here
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