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Peter Kramer / NBC
In his first television interview since undergoing treatment for throat cancer, Michael Douglas tells TODAY's Matt Lauer that his tumor is gone and he's got his cancer beat.
"The odds are, with the tumor gone and what I know about this particular type of cancer, that I've got it beat," Douglas said during an interview that will air Tuesday on TODAY. Douglas said that he still has to undergo monthly checks to be sure the cancer is gone, but he's already quantifying how having the disease has changed him.
"It's put a timeline on my life," Douglas said. "I'm 66 now. You know, I'm fortunate I've got a mother who's 88. She'll kill me. She may be 87. My father's 94. So, you know, I feel good about those genes. But it's definitely a third act. And so you're a little more conscious of your time in how you choose to spend it."
As for how he's spending his time now, Douglas is beginning to get back to a normal life. "I'm eating like a pig ... I lost about 32 pounds. And I've put about 12 back," Douglas said. Now that his chemotherapy and radiation treatments are done, Douglas has few restrictions on his day-to-day activities. He's working out at the gym, though "they want to keep the cardio down because they want me to put some more weight on."
Douglas also says that his experience with cancer has given his life more depth. "You know, maybe it has to do because of everything life threatening. So 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. And it gave me a really new appreciation of just how valuable, how precious good friends are and family. And it's not that I disregarded them before but there's a much deeper feeling. And I've talked to other cancer survivors about this, that -- that happens, that you just really, really appreciate what's important in life."
Catch more of the interview on TODAY Tuesday morning and the complete interview on Sunday's "Dateline NBC."
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Good luck to him, I look forward to the Dateline interview.
Good for him!!! Many blessings, and best of luck to him for the future.
BIG fan of Michael Douglas and also of anyone who beats the Big "C"...
Big fan of his Mrs....
ironic that this PR campaign was timed perfectly around wall street 2. great way to revive a career, too. i hope this is not the case but celebs will do ANYTHING to be back in the spotlight
@daniel-2898866
Yeah, the guy lost 32 lbs and faked having cancer for the last six months to promote a movie. What kind of stupid pill are you taking? That was the most assinine comment I've ever read on here.
Wonderful news! I wish him all the best. :)
I'm so glad that Michael Douglas has beat cancer! I wish him and his family the best!
I sure hope that he is right and that he does have it "beat" but that is one disease that is hard to conquer. Good Luck to him!!!!
I also like his movies..So glad he is ok
I am a 3 1/2 year survivor of stage 4 lung cancer. So happy that he has his cancer beat... Way to go good luck ..
Great for him and for you too! It is always nice to see good news posted on the Internet and on TV.
I am so glad you beat your lung cancer. My dad is surviving with his lung cancer and has already had it 10 years. congratulations to you.
I have seen all of his movies. He has a wonderful family and i'm extremely happy for him!! AWESOME NEWS:)
I have been surfing the internet to read anything about Michael Douglas' throat cancer. Glad to hear the tumors are gone. We pray they never come back. Longevity seems to run in your family. Good genes. God bless you and your family.
I love Douglas and his movies, I wish him all the best.
Yeah! Im so happy for you and your family. I wish you the very best!
This is good news. I knew he would be a fighter!!!!!
Wonderful news! I'm a huge fan of Michael's and of his enormously talented wife. May they have a long life together.
I am very happy to hear these news, I was so sad. Blessings for him and his family, I love this man.
Congrat's Michael. I am really glad for you and your family...Now go out and make some more movies..
Good for him. Always happy to hear when somebody can beat that dreadful disease.
Michael Douglas Best of Luck in regards to beating the cancer it seems and all of the best in the future with your self and the family.You had a hard time this year and I am sure difficult in your personal life. GodBless You.Sincerely,
Paula Asaro
Wayne, NJ
That is the best news I've heard today.
Michael Douglas Best of Luck in regards to beating the cancer it seems and all of the best in the future with your self and the family. You had a hard time this year and I am sure difficult in your personal life. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
SINCERELY,
PAULA ASARO,WAYNE, NJ
Wow what wonderful news - I wish him all the best!
We all could take heed of his comments and not wait for a crisis to realize the value of family and friends that we so often take for granted.
Wonderful news!! I'm a huge fan of Michael and of his supremely talented wife, Catherine. May they have a long & happy life together.
My wife has been battleing cancer for 5 years. She hsd throat cancer and they cut her to pieces and removed part of her tongue and inside of mouth. The radiation and chemo not only killed her saliva glands but also her immune system. She is on a feeding tube for 5 years now and had everything from Arrds to her lungs to MARSA in her blood.Cancer is a terrible thing. I hope a pray Mike gets better and stays better. We are loseing to many of our great Actors and Actresses already. God Bless
In March I will "CELEBRATE " 15yrs of cancer free from stage 4 squamous cell throat cancer.
Really glad that he beat the horrible C word. I am also a cancer survivor. I was diagnosed at age 28, and I am now 44. It took away my ability to have children, but I'm alive! So there is light at the end of the tunnel. Cancer doesn't always mean a death sentance!
I'm hopeful that he is correct and his tumor is gone and will not come back. Sounds like he had a rough round of radiation and chemo and it worked. That's the best you can hope for with Stage IV.