My Hero, Patrick Swayze

[Idioteque]

Patrick Swayze, 55, has had an enviable life. The actor, dancer and former professional figure skater lives close to nature on ranches he owns in California and New Mexico, where he raises cattle and Arabian horses and maintains a wildlife preserve. He's been married for more than 30 years to Lisa Niemi, whom he met in dance class. And of course famous for his starring role in "Dirty Dancing" (1987) which became a cultural touchstone for a whole generation. Subsequent hits like "Ghost" with Demi Moore (1990) solidified his image as good-guy heart throb.Now he faces pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest forms of the disease. Less than 5 percent of patients live five years or more after diagnosis; most die within a year. The American Cancer Society estimates that 37,680 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year, most them will be over 65 years of age. About a quarter of all cases are related to smoking, and diabetes and obesity are considered to be risk factors for the disease. (Swayze smoked.) Excessive drinking may also be a risk factor.(-newsweek.com)