Patrick Swayze remains optimistic he can beat pancreatic cancer.

The ?Dirty Dancing? actor, who was rumoured to be dying after he was diagnosed with the disease earlier this year, is doing all he can to remain in good physical condition.

He said: "I'm feeling good and doing everything that I need to do to stay healthy!"

The 56-year-old star, who recently began filming TV show ?The Beast? in Chicago, is currently taking a break from his treatment.

He added to In Touch Weekly magazine: "I don't have to return to California until next month for my next round of treatments. Right now, I'm taking the medication as I am scheduled to take it."

Swayze, who is set to continue work on the TV series until November, has been spending his free time away from the set with his wife Lisa.

He said: "We have been walking our dogs and enjoying some of the restaurants. Also, we stay in the hotel so I can rest for filming."

On Monday, Swayze celebrated his 56th birthday with his closest friends and the cast and crew from his new show.

A source said: "When Patrick appeared, everyone was wearing black shirts decorated with a picture of his face and the words ?Crazy for Swayze? on the front and 'The Beast' on the back. They sang 'Happy Birthday' and had a yellow birthday cake for him. He was surprised and touched."

Last month, Swayze said his recovery was a ?miracle?.

Since his cancer diagnosis in January, Swayze has been undergoing pioneering Cyberknife radiotherapy at California's Stamford University Medical Centre.