PATRICK SWAYZE - SWAYZE 'RESPONDING WELL' TO CANCER TREATMENT

SWAYZE 'RESPONDING WELL' TO CANCER TREATMENT

Patrick Swayze has stressed that his treatment for pancreatic cancer is still progressing well.

The 55-year-old actor was diagnosed with the disease in March with initial tabloid reports suggesting he had just weeks to live.

However, his physician Dr George Fisher immediately dismissed the rumours and said last month that the Dirty Dancing star has shown an "excellent" response to the treatment.

And in a statement issued to People magazine, Swayze said his response to his treatment at the Stanford University Medical Centre in northern California has been extremely positive.

He and wife Lisa Niemi have been able to regularly travel "back and forth" between their Los Angeles home and ranch in New Mexico as well as visiting friends in Reno, Arizona for Niemi's birthday.

"I took her jewellery shopping at Kenny G & Company and [we] were able to find her something really special and much deserved!" he added.

"In the meantime, I am continuing treatment at Stanford and the great news is I continue to respond well."

After rising to fame as the hip-swaying Johnny Castle in Dirty Dancing in 1987, Swayze went on to star opposite Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg in Ghost before appearing in a host of films including Point Break and Donnie Darko.