Peter Jennings Dead per ABC news, 67 years old

Friends at network | MB26

[MindBender26]

From friends at ABC; Peter Jennings is near death. This is unconfirmed, but from usually reliable sources.

The ABC anchor, who was born in Canada but became a US citizen, announced a few months ago that he was suffering from lung cancer. He has not made a televised appearance since.

[prairiebreeze]

If you smoke, quit. If you don't, don't start.

Cannot be stressed enough. I detest cigarettes, they cause illness and unnecessary and early death. PERIOD!!!!!

Prayers lifted for the Jennings family.

[kcvl]

Lung cancer survival rates

The long-term outcome (prognosis) depends on the type and stage of your lung cancer. The overall 5-year survival rate of 15% is low because the stage of lung cancer is often advanced at the time of diagnosis.1

Non–small cell cancer survival rates

Non–small cell lung cancer generally grows and spreads more slowly than small cell lung cancer. The survival rates decrease as the stage of cancer involves lymph nodes or other body organs.2, 3

* Stage IA or IB with no lymph node involvement, when treated with surgery, has a 5-year survival rate of 43% to 64%.

* Stage IIA or IIB with nearby lymph node involvement, when treated with surgery, has a 5-year survival rate of 20% to 40%.

* Stage IIIA with a single lymph node in the center of the chest involved, when treated with surgery, has a 5-year survival rate of 15% to 25%.

* Stage IIIB with lymph node involvement in the chest (mediastinum) and neck, when treated with radiation without other treatment, has a 5-year survival rate between 5% and 7%.

* Stage IIIB with lymph node involvement in the chest (mediastinum) and neck, when treated with radiation and chemotherapy, has a 5-year survival rate between 7% and 17%.

* Stage IV with extensive lymph node involvement or cancer that has spread to other organs (metastatic disease), when treated with chemotherapy and palliative care to reduce symptoms and increase comfort, has a 1-year survival rate of 15% to 35%. The 1-year survival rate with palliative care alone is about 10%. The 5-year survival rate in stage IV is very low, less than 2%.

Recurrent non–small cell lung cancer survival rates

Your prognosis with non–small cell lung cancer that comes back (recurrent cancer) depends on the stage of your lung cancer when it was first diagnosed, as well as the stage of your cancer when it recurs in the lungs. Treatment for recurrent cancer is based on the stage of the cancer at the time of recurrence.

Small cell cancer survival rates

Small cell lung cancer is less common than non–small cell cancer but grows very rapidly in most cases and is more likely to spread to other organs. Small cell lung cancer is staged as limited or extensive. Limited small cell cancer is found only in one lung and in nearby lymph nodes. Extensive small cell cancer has spread outside of the lung to other tissues in the chest or to other parts of the body (metastasized). Only about one-third of people with small cell cancer have limited disease at the time of diagnosis, with two-thirds having extensive disease.4

* Limited disease treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy has an average survival time of 18 to 20 months. The 2-year survival rate is 20% to 40%.

* Extensive disease treated with chemotherapy has an average survival time of 10 to 12 months. The 2-year survival rate is 1% to 3%.


Recurrent small cell lung cancer survival rates

Recurrent disease has a poor prognosis, with most people living only 2 to 3 months after they are diagnosed with recurrent disease.
References

Citations

1.

American Cancer Society (2003). What are the key statistics for lung cancer? Detailed Guide: Lung Cancer [Online]. Available: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2_1x.asp?rnav=criov&dt=26.
2.

Chesnutt MS, Prendergast TJ (2003). Pulmonary neoplasms. In LM Tierney Jr et al., eds., Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment, 42nd ed., pp. 2265– 275. New York: McGraw-Hill.
3.

Jablons D, et al (2003). Neoplasms of the lung. In LW Way, GM Doherty, eds., Current Surgical Diagnosis and Treatment, 11th ed., pp. 395–407.
4.

Glissan BS, et al. (2001). Small-cell lung cancer. In Cancer Management: A Multidisciplinary Approach, 5th ed., pp. 127–135. New York: PRR.

[muir_redwoods]

Thank for the confirmation to my statement that 5-year survival rates are near zero. It's true that if the cancer is caught early it is treatable with greater success but the sad complication is that smokers, the vast majority of people who get lung cancer, are loath to get exams early enough to make a difference. People with a casual regard for their health, such as people who smoke, rarely seek medical exams before it's too late.

I met a lot of lung cancer patients (every one a smoker) while my wife was in chemo for 7 years with breast cancer. I never got to know them long.

[Mad Mammoth]

If true, this is sad news - I'm tuned into the local ABC affiliate and nothing yet, I suspect that if there is anything to this it would be broadcast as news during the Sunday morning talk hour (and I personally hope it won't be George Snuffelupagus who makes the announcement).

For FReepers who may not be familiar with Canadian media, Jennings has always been considered the "home town boy who made good", and ironically, if you compare the voices and styles of Peter Jennings and his Canadian counterpart, Peter Mansbridge, you would be forgiven for thinking that they were twins seperated at birth, except that Jennings has more hair, ;)

I have seldom agreed with Jennings political positions, but like others have said, he has been a professional broadcaster, has clearly done that which he has enjoyed, and I'm hoping that this news might be premature at the least, wildly exaggerated at the best.

Indy, you mentioned Frank Reynolds, and he was one of my favorite anchormen as well, I recall the the day that President Reagan was shot, Reynolds was getting conflicting reports on the condition of James Brady, and he just turned in his seat, right there in front of God and the world, and shouted to the crew behind him, "can we get the right story on this?!?", or words to that effect. Reynolds teared up more than a few times that day, but he persevered and did his job with a lot of class, I thought.

As an FYI on Reynolds Indy, you may or may not know that he served as a Sergeant in the United States Army in WWII, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and I suspect was a closet Reaganite, as it was reported that on the night of the North Carolina Republican primary in 1976 when Reagan was challenging Ford, that it was Frank Reynolds who excitedly delivered the news to the Reagan campaign that they appeared to be winning North Carolina by 10 points, after a string of losses that had the Reagan insurgency on the ropes.

Should Peter Jennings pass on, I remain hopeful that he will be able to join Reynolds for some extended conversations with President Reagan in that big studio upstairs...

[Mad Mammoth]

The exact quote for Reynolds during the broadcast of the attempted assasination of President Reagan was "Let's nail it down, let's get it right!", FYI. ;)

[cyborg]

My prayers are with him.

[Sloth]

Jennings always seemed like a very decent guy. Prayers for his family.

(but when Rather goes, I'm gloating)

[IndyTiger]

One thing I remember about Reynolds is that he was a huge baseball fan, and during the closing remarks of his newscast every year on opening day, he would say, yet another baseball season has started without a team in our nation's capitol.

This year he would have finally gotten his wish.

[section9]

If he should go, let him go in peace. As another poster said, we are not DU.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[TaxRelief]

My Dad (62)was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma at almost exactly the same time as Mr. Jenning's "farewell" broadcast.
He passed away last Saturday.

I am so sorry for your loss, Garandgal.

[kcvl]

Fox News just confirmed that they had information that Peter Jennings is gravely ill.

[Huber]

O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need; We humbly beseech tee to behold, visit, and relieve thy sick servant Peter for whom our prayers are desired. Look upon him with the eyes of they mercy; comfort him with a sense of they goodness; preserve him from the temptations of the enemy; and give him patience under his affliction. In thy good time, restore him to health , and enable him to lead the residue of his life in thy fear, and to thy glory; and grant that finally he may dwell with thee in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

[spectre]

Sorry to hear this.

I liked the part of Jennings that had nothing to do with his Politics. God speed.

sw

[TaxRelief]

NEW YORK (AP) -- ABC News colleagues on Friday sent a plane with birthday greetings over the home of Peter Jennings, who hasn't been seen on the air since announcing on April 5 that he had lung cancer.

It was the job of Jennings' wife to steer the veteran anchor to where he'd see the banner saying, "Happy Birthday, Peter -- love from all at `World News Tonight'" flying above his home outside of New York City.

His co-workers also taped birthday greetings sent via e-mail and viewers also participated in a "virtual birthday party" over the Web, the network said.

Jennings turned 67 on Friday.

Jennings responded by sending ice cream to "World News Tonight" staffers and calling in his thanks, a spokeswoman said. He also posted a message of thanks to viewers wishing him a happy birthday on ABC's message board.

"Your words -- as always -- are a great source of strength," Jennings wrote.

Although he continues to participate in planning and critiquing the show -- even engaging in a spirited argument recently over who should be named "person of the week" -- Jennings hasn't been in the office since May 23, said Jon Banner, "World News Tonight" executive producer.

"He and I had a very good conversation yesterday," Banner said. "We sort of talk, if not every day, then every other day. He's still very involved in the broadcast and giving his advice."

Charles Gibson and Elizabeth Vargas have shared duty as Jennings' sub.

"We've always told him and maintained that when he's ready to come back, all he has to do is give us 45 minutes' notice and we'll dust the chair off for him," Banner said. "We've constantly told him that, but right now he has other priorities."

....more.

Aug 2 - Madison Daily Leader

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1302&dept_id=181980&newsid=14965082&PAG=461&rfi=9

[kcvl]

When he told his viewers about his cancer diagnosis, Jennings admitted to one pressing concern: "I wonder if other men and women ask their doctors right away: `OK, doc, when does the hair go'?"

The answer so far: not yet.


******

That was the last thing on my mind. But, to answer the question about 21 days, give or take a day or two.

[dennisw]

Peter Jennings was a real tough guy to get where he got to. But the harder they come, the harder they fall. Since he lived hard I knew his cancer would be hard and swift. Good luck Peter! Even though your news coverage screwed Israel as often as you could and romanticized the "put upon" Muslim Arabs.

You had your run and it was strong one!

[texianyankee]

"Fox News just confirmed that they had information that Peter Jennings is gravely ill."

I heard it reported as well, this morning. This is the first time I have heard that his health had deteriorated to this state since his announcement on his news show.

I wish him peace from his pain and my thoughts go out to him & his family.

[dennisw]

Despite the news slant I always liked Peter Jennings' presentation better than the others.

[proud2beconservativeinNJ]

Thank you for your prayer as it is now mine, too. Amen.

[TruthSetsUFree]

I'm really sorry about your dad, Garandgal. Prayers for you and your family also.