Patrick Swayze is Dead at 57

Published by Jeff Leins on September 20, 2009

After 20 months of battling pancreatic cancer, Patrick Swayze died Monday, September 14 at the age of 57.  According to his publicist, his family was at his side including his wife of 34 years, his brother Dan, and his mother.

Swayze was the star of 1987’s Dirty Dancing and romance classic Ghost both of which earned him an Golden Globe nomination.  He also played a lead in Red Dawn and Point Break.  Most recently Swayze starred in the A&E original series “The Beast,” which was not renewed for a second season.

He chose to announce his diagnosis in March 2008 and his continued treatment played out publicly, a rarity among celebrities but an inspirational struggle of hope and determination.

Because the disease does not cause symptoms until later stages, it is rarely diagnosed early and the treatment is extremely aggressive.  Swayze was treated for stage IV, the most widespread extent, while continuing to work.  According to the American Cancer Society, only 20% of pancreatic cancer patients survive for 1 year and 4% for 5 years.  It is the fourth largest cause of cancer death overall.  Hopefully his diagnosis, experimental treatment, and unfortunate death will bring more awareness to a particularly deadly condition.