Michael Douglas says odds are he's beaten throat cancer

Michael Douglas thinks he has beaten throat cancer, and would like folks to know he's been "eating like a pig" to boot.

"The odds are, with the tumor gone and what I know about this particular type of cancer, that I've got it beat," the actor said Monday in an interview with Matt Lauer that will air Tuesday on "Today."

Douglas is back in the gym but keeping the cardio to a minimum, he told Lauer. Because he lost 32 pounds during chemo and radiation treatment, his doctors want him to gain back more than the 12 pounds he's packed back on so far.

The Oscar winner went public with his cancer diagnosis in August, about a month before his film "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" opened in theaters. He finished treatment in October, and has been recovering since then.

And how has the scare affected him? Among other things, he said, "All of a sudden the affection from my family, from my friends, and from my fans hit me at a much deeper level than I would have ever imagined before."

Douglas still has to have monthly checkups to make sure the cancer stays gone, he said. The full interview will air Sunday on "Dateline NBC."

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-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photos: Michael Douglas sat down with Matt Lauer on Monday in New York for an interview that will air on the "Today" show on Jan. 11, 2011. Credits: Peter Kramer / NBC / Associated Press

 

Comments

[Antoinette]

I actually believe that it's the best thing for celebrities to tell everyone when they're sick. Because I think that that many people wanting you to get better can make a difference. Hopefully he stays well. :D

[Dancing Scorpion]

I wouldn't get carried away, old man. Once the body shows a proclivity for cell disruption the reappearance of cell mutations can show up anytime, anywhere. And why are you giving interviews? Christ, are you so self-obsessed you don't know when enough is enough.

[Diane]

"And why are you giving interviews? Christ, are you so self-obsessed you don't know when enough is enough."

Yes, it's rather odd that this news conveniently surfaces right before the deadline to submit Golden Globe ballots.

[RT]

Oh for pete's sake, he's an ACTOR! What do you mean, 'why is he giving interviews?'... it's what actors DO. Do you expect him to garden and shop at Target for the rest of his days?

[jim]

If he wants to give interviews he can, hes a actor and, if he wants to keep a good attitude this is his way of doing it, So shut Up old man negitive dude DB.