Ian McKellen opens up about his years-long battle with prostate cancer

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Ian McKellen in "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers," 2002. Photo: New Line Cinema

In an interview with The Mirror, Sir Ian McKellen revealed that he's been living with prostate cancer for several years. While it's upsetting news, he says that his form is "contained," and that he and his doctors are staying on top of it.

"Many, many men die from it but it’s one of the cancers that is totally treatable so I have 'waitful watching.' I am examined regularly and it’s just contained, it’s not spreading. I’ve not had any treatment."

"You do gulp when you hear the news. It’s like when you go for an HIV test, you go ‘arghhh is this the end of the road?’ They come and say you have cancer of the prostate and then they say you can have it zapped, you can have it snipped but you are not a candidate for that. You are waitful watching."

McKellen goes on to say that he remains diligent and hopeful for his chances at a full and lengthy life, which makes those of us who are fans very, very happy to hear.

Ian McKellen Reveals He Has Prostate Cancer [The Hollywood Reporter]

When she isn't nerding out that the holidays are coming, Jamie is a reader at Monday Night Fan Fiction at Fontana's in Chinatown, NYC (next date: TBA, 7:00 PM). All work is original, written by the readers, so if you have a brilliant fanfic idea stuck in your head, send it via Twitter: @jamielikesthis

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oasisob1

“It is really, really wonderful that in your old age you are protected by specialists who understand your problems and sort them out for you. Well, isn’t that what we all need?”
- millie fink
  
  In a better world. A much, much better world.
  - C W
    
    A better nation, at least.
http://twitter.com/Three_Star_Dave Dave Hill

I imagine that with an enlarged prostate, “You! Shall Not! Pass!” takes on a whole new meaning.
- http://www.eff.org/ deaduncledave
  
  Wakka wakka!
http://twitter.com/MadelineAshby Madeline Ashby

Ian McKellen: great badass or GREATEST badass?
http://twitter.com/sfrazer Scott Frazer

“he remains diligent and hopeful for his chances at a full and lengthy life”

I wish him all the best, but if he hasn’t had a full life yet, what the hell chance do I have? :-)
Lee Keeler

my dad just got diagnosed with prostate cancer, early stages. I’m feeling better about it and this has helped. thanks for posting.
- http://www.alwayssababa.com/ lishevita
  
  My dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer about 3 years ago. He then went into high research mode and decided in the end to switch to an all vegan diet. His PSA numbers have improved and he’s still living and otherwise quite healthy. He’s become a raging fundamentalist evangelical vegan, though, which is a bit disconcerting. (I’ve teased him that he’s become a China Study thumper.)
  
  Here’s wishing your father well with or without massive changes in dietary “religion”. ;)
mocon

Fortunately, most men die *with* rather than *of* prostate cancer.
jimh

Here’s to many more years with Sir Ian around.
Apologies for the poor video quality, but this is a favorite bit of mine from Extras (and it doesn’t have the annoying ads that eBaum’s has!)
http://www.thatvideosite.com/v/1854
http://www.facebook.com/nathaniel.riethmann Nathaniel Riethmann

This is being denied by his agent. See here: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2012/12/ian-mckellen-does-not-have-prostate-cancer-agent-says/
- C W
  
  How did they misquote him, then? It’d be nice if the agent was specific in how it was misunderstood/misrepresented.