Celebrity News March 12, 2008
Swayze Smoking Controversy
A frail-looking Patrick Swayze, currently undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer, has been spotted smoking – and it's raising new questions about his health. Noted L.A. oncologist Dr. Amin Mirhadi tells "Extra" that any history of smoking can spell trouble. "People who smoke have a significantly higher -- probably a two to three times higher -- likelihood of developing pancreatic cancer." But while Internet reports are claiming Swayze smoked three packs a day, his brother Don tells People that Patrick's habit never reached that level.
"Extra" has learned that Swayze is coupling an experimental new cancer drug designed to shrink the tumor by cutting off its blood supply with a four-week cycle of chemotherapy. People's J.D. Heyman detailed his treatment for "Extra," explaining, "He is also trying to keep his weight up. His wife [Lisa] is making sure he's doing a lot of juices and he's eating foods high in fat."
As Patrick struggles to recover, cancer crusader Katie Couric (who lost a sister to pancreatic cancer and her husband to colon cancer) told "Extra" she has high hopes for the "Dirty Dancing" star. "There are a lot of great things that can be done. Some pancreatic cancers are curable if they're limited in terms of where they're located."
Added Dr. Mirhadi, "People are starting to beat the odds more and more -- more than we expect."
