Landon's Upset Over His Press Coverage
- Michael Landon from Little House on the Prairie passed away in 1991 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, which had spread to his liver.
- Before he passed, Landon appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and expressed displeasure with some of the headlines about his diagnosis.
- Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive disease, and early detection may broaden a person’s treatment options.
Landon’s Criticism of the Media’s Coverage
The year he was diagnosed, Landon appeared on The Tonight Show with host Johnny Carson. Carson introduced him saying: “I think most of the nation and the world probably know by now that on April 8 of this year, Michael Landon was diagnosed with having inoperable cancer of the pancreas and liver. Michael Landon handled the problem head-on. He invited the press to his house and told them the situation…he has continued to face his personal battle with humor and dignity.”Landon appeared on the show and discussed his diagnosis, saying, “Didn’t do a hell of a lot of good to call the press conference, though. Did you see the stuff that came out after that? I mean it’s amazing.” Landon said with a disgruntled look that one publication in the media reported that he wanted to have a 10th child so “my wife would have something to remember me by.”
The sensationalized report was clearly displeasing to Landon, as he recounted the headline to Carson.
Michael Landon’s Cancer Journey
Landon passed away from his disease in 1991, the same year it was discovered. At the time his cancer was found, it had already spread to other parts of his body, including his liver. The actor treated his pancreatic cancer with chemotherapy but the treatments were ineffective. The 5-year survival rate for people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that has metastasized is around 3%.
The actor’s cancer was fast-acting. He was diagnosed in April of 1991 and passed away from his pancreatic cancer in July of that year. While Landon went public with his diagnosis, some in the public eye prefer to keep it quiet. Health is a deeply personal matter and may lead to feelings of grief, depression, and anxiety. Choosing when and with whom to share your diagnosis is a personal decision.
Dealing With Grief After a Cancer Diagnosis
Pancreatic Cancer Detection
When it comes to the detection of this disease, the earlier it is found, the better. Earlier detection may mean that there are wider options for treatment, like surgery. Dr. Anirban Maitra, the Co-Leader of the Pancreatic Cancer Moon Shot at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, says in an earlier interview, “So the pancreas is an organ in your belly. And this is where pancreatic cancer arises. Because the pancreas is inside the abdomen, it often doesn't have symptoms that would tell you that something is wrong with your pancreas. By the time individuals walk into the clinic with symptoms like jaundice, weight loss, back pain, or diabetes, it's often very late in the stage of the disease."
Dr. Maitra says this is an aggressive disease. "Each year in the United States, about 53,000 patients get pancreatic cancer. And unfortunately, most will die from this disease within a few months to a year or so from the diagnosis. And the reason for that is that most individuals, about 80%, will actually present with what we called advanced disease, which means that the cancer has either spread beyond the pancreas or into other organs like the liver, and so you cannot take it out with surgeries. Only about 20% of individuals will actually be candidates for surgery."
Detecting Pancreatic Cancer Early Is Crucial
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