Michael Douglas Opens Up On Throat Cancer Battle

Sept. 1, 2010 — -- For the first time since beginning his treatment for throat cancer, actor Michael Douglas is opening up about the fight for his life -- the fight the Hollywood legend is confident he'll win -- despite the cancer being at an advanced stage.

"I'm treating this as a curable disease," 65-year-old Douglas said in recent interview with People magazine appearing at People.com today. "I will do everything I can... It's a fight. I'll beat this."

Douglas spoke to People in his first print interview since his diagnosis two weeks ago in which a tumor the "size of a walnut" was discovered by a biopsy, People reported. Last week he began a strict regimen of treatment including radiation five days a week for eight weeks in addition to chemotherapy every three weeks.

"It really knocks you out," the Academy Award winner said.

Tuesday night Douglas appeared on CBS' "Late Show With David Letterman" and announced his cancer was advanced.

"[It's] intense and so they've got to go at it," he said.

Douglas said luckily the cancer has not spread to any other part of his body.

"The percentages are very good," he told Letterman, referring to survival rates. "I would hate to say, but right now, it looks like it should be 80 percent, and with certain hospitals and everything, it does improve."

The cause of the cancer, Douglas said, was likely earlier habits of drinking and smoking. Douglas said he knew something was wrong months before doctors detected the problem.

"Because I was on it early in the summer and started complaining about something, but they couldn't see it then," he told People.

When Letterman asked if the doctors had caught it in times, Douglas answered, "I sure as s**t hope so," to the audience laughter.