Sophie Tedmanson
Download 'Too Hot', an exclusive Specials track from iTunes
Patrick Swayze has admitted he may have only two years to live after his 12-month battle with late stage pancreatic cancer.
In his first television interview since being diagnosed with stage four cancer, the star of Dirty Dancing told American TV host Barbara Walters he was "scared and angry" and had been "going through hell".
Looking gaunt and tired, the 56-year-old actor admitted that despite responding well to treatment and returning to work, he was running out of time.
"I'd say five years is pretty wishful thinking,” he said of his predicted chance of surviving one of the most deadly forms of cancer.
“Two years seems likely if you're going to believe statistics. I want to last until they find a cure, which means I'd better get a fire under it."
He said despite already defying the odds (pancreatic cancer patients are usually only expected to survive six months), he is still scared about what the future holds.
"You can bet I'm going through hell," Swayze, recuperating at his California ranch with his actress wife Lisa Niemi, told Ms Walters in the interview which will be broadcast in the US on Wednesday. “And I've only seen the beginning of it.
"There's a lot of fear here ... Yeah, I'm scared. Yeah, I'm angry. Yeah, I'm (asking) why me?”
But he added that he would not give up on his health: “Am I dying? Am I giving up? Am I on my death bed? Am I saying goodbye to people? No way.”
Swayze, who went public with his diagnosis last March, said he first fell ill on New Year’s Eve in 2007 and realised he was sick when he couldn’t stomach a glass of wine.
“I tried to have champagne, and it would be like pouring acid, you know, on an open wound,” he said. “I dropped about 20 pounds in the blink of an eye. And then when you see it in the mirror, you pull your eyes down and the bottom of your eyes go yellow and jaundice sets in – then you know something is wrong.”
Swayze amazed Hollywood by returning to work just months after undergoing an aggressive course of chemotherapy and experimental drugs to combat the cancer he was diagnosed with in January 2008, which has since spread to his liver.
Swayze, who is best known as the seductive dance instructor in the 1987 romantic coming of age film Dirty Dancing and appeared in London’s West End in 2006 as Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls, returned to work last June, starring in the cable TV crime series The Beast, which premieres in the US next week.
Despite the gruelling 12-hour day shooting schedule in chilly Chicago, Swayze said he worked without the aid of painkillers, opting instead to have chemotherapy sessions on the weekends.
“I think everybody thought I was out of my mind, you know, thinking I’m gonna pull off a TV show,” he said of shooting The Beast, adding that taking painkillers while shooting the show would have taken “the edge” off of his performance. In five months of filming he only missed one day of work.
The actor, who is also known for starring alongside Demi Moore in the 1990 romantic mystery Ghost and as a bank robbing surfer in Point Break, said despite his grim-looking future, he remained positive.
"I keep dreaming of a future, a future with a long and healthy life," Swayze said. "Not lived in the shadow of cancer, but in the light."

Win a luxury weekend to Newcastle and its neighbour Gateshead, find out more here
Risk, resilience and embracing new technology
Industry sectors news at a glance. Interactive heatmap, video and podcast
Discover the power of collective thinking. Submit a solution and be in with a chance to win a Media Hub Home Entertainment System
The inside track on current trends in the charity, not for profit and social enterprise sectors
Everything the Business Traveller needs to know to make a better trip
Make the most of the summer and enter our fabulous photographic competition, you could win a £5000 holiday
Corsica is an island of beauty and contrast, an ideal holiday destination
Enjoy further reading from Travel to Fashion, Business to Sport, discover more
Shortcuts to help you find sections and articles
The clever way to lease a new car is with Car leasing made simple™
2009
per month on 36-month
Personal Contract Hire (PCH)
2008
42850
Car Insurance
£24,250 - £30,346
MI5
London
£60,000
The Environment Agency
Bristol
Up to £90K
Boots
Midlands
OTE £85k
Credit Protection Association
Nationwide Opportunities
Completely London
Luxury Condo's in Manhattan with NYC views
The best new homes in Wimbledon?
Nationwide
Fabulous Cruise And Cruise & Stay Offers Including Virgin Atlantic Flights Prices Start From Only £699pp!
Last Minute Cruise And Cruise & Stay Offers. Med From £499pp, Caribbean From £699pp!
5 star quality at a 3 star price.
8 fabulous Canadian cities ...you won’t find cheaper
Contact our advertising team for advertising and sponsorship in Times Online, The Times and The Sunday Times, or place your advertisement.
Times Online Services: Dating | Jobs | Property Search | Used Cars | Holidays | Births, Marriages, Deaths | Subscriptions | E-paper
News International associated websites: Globrix Property Search | Property Finder | Milkround
Copyright 2009 Times Newspapers Ltd.
This service is provided on Times Newspapers' standard Terms and Conditions. Please read our Privacy Policy.To inquire about a licence to reproduce material from Times Online, The Times or The Sunday Times, click here.This website is published by a member of the News International Group. News International Limited, 1 Virginia St, London E98 1XY, is the holding company for the News International group and is registered in England No 81701. VAT number GB 243 8054 69.
I would just like to thank you for helping make this world a better place and giving joy to an awfull lot of people, I for one will always think about your films, if we feel sad we can watch Dirty Dancing so we can be cheered up, then if we want to feel a bit sad and cry we watch Ghost, good luckX X
margaret brown, bournemouth, uk
Patrick,we love you,but God love you more,you will be ok,keep the faith,stay positive like you always and pray...wish you both the best from your friend ..
Dave Gregory, Greenburg New York, US
You are THE star in many peoples hearts and souls and YOU will live on no matter what. There's no such thing as death! Believe that! May the light and love be poured abundant on you sooth your pain and heal you soon! I'm sending you a big smile and lots of positive thoughts and love from Greece.
vicky alifandi, Athens, Greece
Patrick and Wife,my heart goes out to you both,I lost my husband in May 2007 to Prostate Cancer. We to met very young I was 16 years old and my husband was 22 years old, and married for 42 years till he died. I miss him so much, you will get over this latest set back get well And love to you both x
Alma, Desborough, ENGLAND. GB
Patrick, I pray that you make it way beyond 5 years. My brother had Pancreatic Cancer and lasted only 11 months. I admire your strength and bravery in dealing with this disease. May God bless you and keep you in His fold and may He perform a miracle for you.
Barbara Coulter, Glendale, Az, USA
patrick and wife,my heart goes out to you both,i have just lost my husband from lung cancer,but there is hope,my husband beat bladder cancer,and then lung cancer,and thenBRAIN CANCER,but the cancer came back in his lung and killed him,so patrick be strong,you can beat this,my prayers are with you,
vondra redfern, chesterfield, england
Patrick i just want to say how in awe i am at your strength and determination... you are a brave and wonderful man and most deffinately NOT a victim.I admire you so much and Pray you reach those 5 years and beyond. I also want to say how much i admire your wonderful lady wife lisa,your guiding light
Claire Yarker, Rochdale, Lancashire, U.K
Patrick, you are an inspiration to me, I lost my mom of lung cancer 1yr ago, it was devasting to me, its very had to lose someone you love so much, we never gave up hope, lots of prayers and positive thinking helped us get through the difficult times. My prayers and thoughts are with you always
qpril callea, syracuse, usa
god bless.... my Mum was given 6 weeks to live with stage 4 ovarian cancer. She lived 17 years or more... Her consultant referred to her as the LEGEND!... I Hope you follow in her path..
julie, poulton-le-fylde, U.K.
Dear Patrick,
I commend you for not willing to give up and being a survivor. I have been a fan of yours for many years and have seen all your films. Its great you are back to work and I can't wait to see your new series. you will beat this! Stay positive!
All the best!
Keyonia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Dear Mr Swaytze.
I feelsad You being diagnostic with cancer I asked myself Why You ? Your movie Dirty Dancing brought me so much joy. Wonderful movie! I´m certain you´ll overcome this decease and that you´ll live for many years to come ! Don´t never give up! come what may.... PEACE
Gabriela, Hämeenlinna, Finland
Dear Patrick
Don't give up because u have still got so much 2 give.I have brought my 2 girls up on Dirty Dancing I think they know all the words to the film as much as me.We've also been 2 c the show in London it was fantastic but Danny was not as good as u the real thing.XXX
Sara Junge, Gillingham Kent, England
patrick and lisa, don't give up hope hope. I lost my partner and best friend to cancer a year ago after 20 yrs. & never gave up. Losing three people I love in the same yr is hard but stay positive and make memories that you can cherish always. horses were my lifeline to recovering from the pain.
Donna, salmon arm, canada
Good for you, Patrick, for being one tough son-of-a-gun! I was a limp rag through chemo for stage two breast cancer. You are a shining example to us all! May you be getting well, bit by bit, each day.
Anne-Marie F, Ida, USA
I really hope Patrick outlives this terrible disease. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Lisa. So tragic.......x One of my favourite actors, and star of my only favourite movie, "Dirty Dancing".....
Dee Reid, Dunsborough, Perth, West Australia
Dear Patrick..
I feel for you..you still have so much more to do in this world. please don't give up..thinking positive is always a way to handle cancer..my brother in law had lung cancer and was told he only had a few months...he lived for 5 years ...be strong your fan for ever
Rose Westera, Emmen, Holland
Best of luck Patrick.Always thought he brought a likeable quality to his roles. Hope he defies the odds and beats this and then goes on to make the much talked about Point Break 2.
stephen mckenna, dublin, ireland
You keep thinking positive Patrick the enjoyment you have given to pepole over the years you deserve to live for ever, lets have lots more films & a long healthy life.good luck & keep fighting if any one can your the person, both thinking of you
Bill & Julie Arnold, Skegness, UK
good luck with the future patrick.keep a positive mind , you have still got a lot to give.fingers crossed
gareth, warrington, england
Patrick, i wish you the best of luck. If you need to talk to other people who have tried herbs, like the Mexican artist Joan Sebastian do so, dont let nobody stop you from believing on doing that. Pray to God cause God can cure you.. Please believe. Love you dearly your fan
Monica, el Paso, Tx
Hi, my name is Shannon, I have to say that I just heard this horrible news that I am so saddened to hear. I have always respected you, Patrick as a great actor and person. I am so sorry and will pray for you and your wife. I hope your privacy is respected through this hard time. God Bless
Shannon Kempton, aliso viejo, US
I love you, Patrick!!
Emma, Bedford, UK
Mucha suerte
Dear Patrick, for you all my positive wishes.
From me and my family.
javier gil, madrid, spain
all i can say is hang in their i'm praying for you and your family i lost family members from cancer it's hard i hope you will win this fight from cancer
suzie lean, winnipeg, manitoba
I don't have cancer, but I do have a lot of Pancreatic heath problems. I know the kind of pain you go though and it is hell! I sympathize and hope all the best for you... my sister and I both understand. We really do hope the best, not only for you, but the rest of your family as well!
Brittany, Princeton,
Prayers are being sent your way for a speedy recovery and for not losing hope. God is with you and will guide your path always. Keep the faith.
Joe , Alexandria , USA
i do hope that patrick swayze recover . he is a good man good luck .
sara, belfast, uk
I want to say to them; your love is strong, protect him from the bad energy, thoughts and people. I hope in your private moments the two of you can go to that hard place and talk about things that will help both of you when it is needed. The strength u share will last forever. God Bless you
Carline, Chgo, USA
I wish you well for the future and I can see you have a possitive action for what you want to do.I have watched most of your films you are a brilliant actor and thats the way people will always remember you I know I will. All my best wishes to you and your wife.
Kathleen Jefcoate, Santa Ovaia Oliviera do Hospit, Portugal
I really hope Patrick Swayze will recover from this, and live into old age. I loved Dirty Dancing and I am watching North and South on tv at the moment so long may he live!
Good luck Patrick.
A Jack, Edinburgh, UK
I wish he defy the odds and get beyond those two years. I wish they find the cure. Good luck and strengh Mr. Swayze.
Agustin, Toledo, Spain
I am impressed by the positivity of Patrick as this must be a really torrid unbearable time and wish him well.
APL, Leeds,
I hope patrick swayze is coping well it must be very upseting , for lisa & patrick . I know how he is feeling as i lost my mother to cancer 35 years ago & it seems like yesterday that mum passed away.
Teena, Hobart, Australia