Catherina Zeta-Jones Angry at Doctors Over Husband's Cancer Diagnosis

By: Jessica Derschowitz
Topics

Actors Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones attend the The 2009 Women of the Year hosted by Glamour Magazine at Carnegie Hall on Nov. 9, 2009, in New York.

(Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Glamour Magazine)

NEW YORK (CBS) Catherine Zeta-Jones says she's angry that doctor's didn't discover husband Michael Douglas' cancer diagnosis sooner.

Douglas is currently undergoing radiation and chemotherapy to treat a walnut-sized tumor at the base of his tongue.

Pictures: Michael Douglas
Pictures: Catherine Zeta-Jones

The actor said he spent months seeking attention for persistent ear and throat pain, but that no cause was found until he received the cancer diagnosis in early August.

"It makes me furious they didn't detect it earlier," Zeta-Jones told People magazine in an interview published in Friday's issue. "He sought every option and nothing was found."

Douglas and Zeta-Jones have been married for 10 years and have two children together, Dylan, 10, and Carys, 7.

The actor announced his diagnosis on August 16.

Zeta-Jones told the magazine that she struggles with watching her husband become fatigued due to the radiation and chemotherapy, which Douglas said "really knocks you out."

"I know maybe I should be stronger, but emotionally I just don't want to see that," she said, later adding, "The hardest part is seeing his fatigue, because Michael is never tired."

In his first appearance following the announcement of his diagnosis, Douglas told "Late Show" host David Letterman on Tuesday that while his disease was late "stage four," the cancer remains above the neck and that means expectations are good, with an 80 percent or better chance of recovery.

21 Photos

Michael Douglas

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by smellyecoli2 September 9, 2010 1:12 PM EDT: Is not wonderful that there are so many people in this world who have never made a mistake!!; Reply to this comment


by smellyecoli2 September 9, 2010 12:16 PM EDT: Is not wonderful that there are so many people in this world who have never made a mistake!!; Reply to this comment


by Best2U1 September 9, 2010 12:15 PM EDT: I blame ObamaCare. The panic over this massive government take over of health care in America have cause doctors to be "stuck on stupid" mode. You mean to tell me with all the money and resources Douglas-Zeta-Jones has and they still couldn't find Mike cancer in time? That is so BS! Doctors are running scare of the law suits. No one wants the be blame for a bad call, especial when the guy has Mike's money and lawyers!; Reply to this comment


by Stevescomments September 9, 2010 12:14 PM EDT: I feel sorry for anyone including Michael who has cancer or has been misdiagnosed but Welcome to Obama Care now embraces it even the Hollywood elite are not immune to disease and even if they run to their favorite foreign country its not going to make a difference, National Healthcare is now a reality I am sorry to say.; Reply to this comment


by cinwasp September 9, 2010 12:14 PM EDT: I've never read such moronic comments in my life. First of all, the #1 cause of head and neck cancer is HPV. In other words, guys...If I were you I wouldn't indulge in oral sex.
Second, head/neck cancer surgeons get paid less than a plumber making an emergency visit to you home!! Taking out ear wax pays better than taking out a cancer. So, if you people want to get treatment for your future cancers, forget it! WHO is going to medical school, internship, fellowship, etc.. to be a surgeon when they will eventually be PAID NOTHING!!!!
I know, I am married to one. AND, my husband is not about to miss a cancer diagnosis, especially a "walnut-sized" mass at the base of the tongue, because he will get sued and then lose his practice. How many of you "out there" are even smart enough to be a surgeon???
Maybe, Douglas did not go to the right doctor to begin with or maybe he was just very unlucky. Stage IV is not good, anyway you look at it....He probably has 18 months.; Reply to this comment


by ken1dall September 9, 2010 12:14 PM EDT: They say doctors "practice medicine". I just don't want them practicing on me!!!; Reply to this comment


by mmd64 September 9, 2010 12:14 PM EDT: He admitted that his smoking and drinking probably caused this cancer...I'm sure his status and money will at the very least prolong his life. Sadly, we all do not have that luxury..........; Reply to this comment


by Rajah88 September 7, 2010 2:29 AM EDT: sing-with-rapture, you either did not read this piece or have extremely poor reading comprehension skills.; Reply to this comment


by GaPeeche September 6, 2010 10:16 AM EDT: There are times when cancer is hard to find, no matter how hard the doctors look. My husband has had cancer twice. Nothing showed up in blood work, nor Xrays. Doctors on occasions have to do body scans to look for "hot spots". Thank goodness they finally found my husbands with a biopsy.

I am sure with him being Michael Douglas they were seriously looking. It just took a while for it to show up. I wish him well.; Reply to this comment


by skarrzpop September 6, 2010 7:33 AM EDT: GODSPEED to you Michael...Our thoughts & prayers are with you in this ordeal!!!......; Reply to this comment