Since "I gather all the news I need from the Weather Report" these days of new normal - I usually miss TV promos and shows. I did catch an amazing one today for tonights Barbara Walters ABC special - Patrick Swayze saying that despite his stage IV pancreatic cancer, he still smokes. "It's not like quitting smoking now will cure the cancer" or something like that.
Guess I will have to watch - Plus now I have another rejoinder to the sympathy/blame crowd (So did you smoke?)- " Huh? didn't ya see Swayze's TV interview- smoking only causes pancreatic cancer."

When I was treated (for lymphoma) back in '91, many, if not most, of the chemotherapy/infusion nurses were smokers. They all acknowledged how stupid it was, but the addiction was that strong.

I read the article about that. I was pretty shocked at it. Seems like he went thru chemo, smoking the whole time and working too. Somehow he was able to work full time only missing a handful of days while battling Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. I was left wondering how that is possible. Why he is stupid enough to still smoke and brag about it.

Smoking was the hardest addiction that I ever kicked, and I have kicked a couple of others too. Smoking was the only one that even when they tasted bad I still wanted them, even if I had bronchitis and could barely breathe. It just doesn't make sense. Now I can smell a cigarette a mile away sometimes if I'm in a parking lot or walking into a store. Even though I would not start again, sometimes they almost smell good to me. It is sad that something that is this bad for us was ever allowed to be sold legally and promoted the way it was/is. Also sad that Patrick Swayze is a role model of sorts and is so public about continuing to smoke with cancer. The cancer institute here gave me some literature to read when I was first diagnosed and there was one article about a lady with H&N cancer that the doctors finally refused to do any more plastic or cosmetic work on because she would not quit smoking.

I smoked for 45 years and tried quitting many times over the years. Nothing seemed to work. When my husband was diagnosed with OC, I threw out my cigarettes and I have not craved one for a minute. He was a chain smoker and hasn't had one in almost a year also. I don't preach to anyone that smokes, but when I see someone smoking, they look so stupid ! When I smell it , it makes me sick. Spending all that money to kill yourself.I have lots more money in my wallet now also. The only bad thing is that I gained 30 lbs (which i didn't need in the first place). That's my story. My son chews and I say to him......"look at your father suffering ". I guess noone ever thinks that it's going to happen to them......Clod

I had been a 40 year smoker up until 4/27/06 when I got my diagnosis results of BOT Squamous Cell. Quit cold turkey with no prior history of even a slight attempt to quit. I was up to 2 packs plus per day and felt like the most addicted person on earth. The cancer diagnosis was the most sobering thing to hit me at that time at 59 years of age. Now, after almost 3 years, I never once touched tobacco again although I will not say it has been easy. It WAS easy to quit but the continued urge and desire still haunts me from time to time now. Only recently has the smell of nearby outside smokers begun to smell bad to me. Even so, the urge to smoke still hits from time to time. I simply etched into my brain the simple conclusion that to ever smoke again will assure a recurrence in my case. That seems to be working so far.

Bill D.

My wife and I watched the show together last night and I've revised my opinion of Patrick Swayze upward. for a major Hollywood star to be sitting next to his wife of 33 years - and choked up about leaving her and her crying about being angry at him for getting it yet dreading losing him brought home the equal opportunity nature of cancer. We cried during the show as it seemed like they were expressing many of our feelings. After seeing the show and understanding that he's still fighting even though a "victory" would include still having the cancer but being there for his wife - I think back to my Dad's WWII Navy days mantra: "smoke 'em if you got 'em". Again, I had no idea that smoking could also cause pancreatic cancer. Guess being rebellious and deciding never to smoke,chew,or sniff tobacco because my parents did was a good choice although it didn't stop me from getting cancer. My lungs show clear in all the tests

Tobacco products are linked to virtually every form of cancer.

I recently saw a movie, that was made in 1955, where the actress stated (lighting a cigarette) that her doctor told her they weren't good for her and that was LONG before the Surgeon Generals mandatory warnigs on packs of cigarettes.

In the UK graphic images are also required on cigarette packs and a cottage industry had grown up of replacement labels to stick over the warnings -talk abour denial.

See http://www.fakefags.co.uk/category_stickers.asp

I guess the thing that stuns me is why our governement, who is supoosed to protect us, has allowed the legalization of tobacco products for so long. It's harmful effects are no longer anecdotal and have been scientifically proven. The tobacco companies have shamelessly lied about it's addictive effects for decades. There will be a special place in hell for them to be sure.

My 47 year old sister died from smoking (even after going to MD Anderson for Tx). My stepmother died from smoking - and that was after she had quit for many years (but she had smoked heavy for 25 years and after that it really doesn't changes the potential cancer outcome - heart attack and stroke - yes). I have seen lung cancer death up close and personal and it is about an ugly and painful form of death as it gets.

Yet when I worked for Siemens Medical Labs, manufacturer of Liner Accelerators, used for radiation therapy, many employees smoked. I had to go on the road and work on LINACS in many different hospitals and after witnessing patients actually dying in the middle of treatment, or near death (grey and gurgling on the gurney), it left a lasting impression. In total I smoked less than 5 years. I was a 2 pack a day smoker in the end. One morning I got up (and it took sveral attempts prior), threw them in the garbage and never had one again. The smell of smoke disgusts me now. I am glad I live in a state that has very strong anti-smoking rules.

It is very sad about Patrick Swayze. I have always admired his acting ability and enjoyed his movies. I have lost several friends to pancreatic cancer and it's about the worst cancer you can get - 5% five year survival rate (and extremely painful). I am equally surpried at Steve Jobs "survival". He is looking very gaunt these days and I am sure that Apple isn't revealing the whole story.

My next door neighbor, who survived breast cancer, died from pancreatic (she was never able to stop smoking). All the people I know personally with pancreatic cancer were dead within 6 months of diagnosis.

It has been proven that tobacco products additive qualities have been enhanced by the tobacco companies. There are countermeasures and smoking cessation programs. You really only have to stay clean for about three weeks and the worst is over. But -the key to any addiction is that you have to WANT to quit.

See this link: http://www.sptimes.com/News/61599/Floridian/He_wanted_you_to_know.shtml

Yes cancer is an "equal opportunity" disease but quitting tobacco products is still the most preventable method of cancer death in the world today.

I was very touched by Swayze's interview and shed a couple of tears also Charm. I had not thought of cancer as an equal opportunity disease until you mentioned it here. I was especially moved by his reply to Walter's statement that she would be back in a few years for another interview "I'll be here. (long pause) "or I won't." The uncertainty of cancer. Sorry one of those days when I should go do something very physical so I will let some of this out.

Patty

It was a very touching interview. My one grandfather died from pancreatic cancer that spread to his other organs. It was a devastating death...it was actually the gangrene that killed him. Watching him rot away at the limbs was horrible. He was a nonsmoker, but he was a functioning alcoholic until the age of...maybe 70, he died at 83. The disease killed him in three or four weeks from dx.

I did not know that Swayze's cancer had spread to his liver. It's a sad tough situation and it was not easy to watch. I am also very surprised about Steve Jobs' survival.