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]