'Prince Of Tides' Author Pat Conroy Announces He Has Pancreatic Cancer

BEAUFORT, S.C. (CBSLA.com/AP) — Author Pat Conroy says he has pancreatic cancer, but promises he will fight the disease hard and finish a novel he owes his fans.

The 70-year-old South Carolina novelist made the announcement Monday on his Facebook page.

Conroy didn't give many details about his diagnosis or a prognosis. But he promised to "fight it hard" and told his fans "I owe you a novel and I intend to deliver it."

Conroy has written a dozen books including "The Prince of Tides," "The Great Santini." and "The Water is Wide," all acclaimed and all turned into acclaimed movies. ("The Water is Wide" was 1974's "Conrack" starring Jon Voight and a 2006 Hallmark TV movie).

On Facebook, Conroy says he has spent his entire life trying to figure out who he is and he doesn't believe he has come close.

He quit drinking in his mid-60s after being hospitalized with a failing liver and high blood pressure. He has struggled with diabetes and other ailments in recent years.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers and can be difficult to treat. The disease claimed actors Michael Landon and Patrick Swayze, Steve Jobs, Oscar winner Joan Crawford, Donna Reed, jazz legend Dizzie Gillespie, and astronaut Sally Ride, to name a few.

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