Sir Michael Parkinson reveals he has cancer

The former talk show host, who won legions of fans interviewing such greats as Muhammad Ali, Richard Burton and Emu, was diagnosed in May.

But the 78-year-old said he is confident of beating the disease and returning to full health.

He said: "It was a great shock, but I have been told to expect to make a full recovery.

"I had to start calling a few of my social engagements to tell them I couldn't do it - what do you say to them?

"When you are told you have something like cancer, it is a shock.

"But the cancer specialist said: 'I will assure you, you will not die of this.'

"I am concerned about it, of course, but I am not frightened of it."

Sir Michael is currently undergoing radiotherapy five times a week, and said he found the process free from pain and discomfort.

"If anything, it's boring.

"You have to lie there completely still, for six minutes.

"But I have had no side effects at all."

Sir Michael said the cancer is contained to his prostate, and that he should be "completely free" of the disease by August.

And he urged men to pay greater attention to their health in order to catch potential diseases early - with a simple test to check for prostate cancer.

"The test is if you can pee against a wall from 2ft, you haven't got it," he said.

"I don't want to trivialise it, but men know when there's a problem.

"I have been lucky, but men are silly about their health.

"Get it checked out - it might be something else."

Sir Michael's said he had no intention of letting cancer get in the way of his life.

"I'm 78 and I have had a good life," he said.

"When you get involved in this, you begin to understand the extraordinary work of those involved in treating cancer.

"You just sit and look at them in wonder. They do the most extraordinary things, and I am very grateful.

"I shall be around for a while yet, to the delight of my friends and the dismay of my enemies."

Source: http://uk.express.feedsportal.com/c/33338/f/565861/s/2e519408/l/0L0Sexpress0O0Cnews0Cshowbiz0C4130A720CSir0EMichael0EParkinson0Ereveals0Ehe0Ehas0Ecancer/story01.htm

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