Non-smoking 'Superman' widow has lung cancer

Dana Reeve, the widow of Christopher Reeve, who nursed the paralysed 'Superman' for nine years, stunned Americans on Tuesday by announcing she had been diagnosed with lung cancer.

Reeve, 44, who earned respect and affection for devoting herself to her husband after a riding accident left him paralysed from the neck down, said she was undergoing treatment and was optimistic about her prognosis.

But the news that the deadly disease had afflicted a relatively young woman who is also a non-smoker came as a shock after the death on Sunday of veteran TV news anchor Peter Jennings, who had been a heavy smoker.

าNow, more than ever, I feel Chris with me as I face this challenge,' Reeve said in a statement. 'As always, I look to him as the ultimate example of defying the odds with strength, courage and hope in the face of life's adversities.'

าMy family and I deeply appreciate the care and concern of our friends and supporters and trust that everyone understands our need and desire for privacy during this time. I hope before too long to be sharing news of my good health and recovery.'

Reeve, a singer and actress who has a 13-year-old son with Christopher Reeve, put her Broadway and TV career on hold to nurse her husband after his 1995 accident until his death in October 2004.

She also worked with Reeve to rally support for research on the treatment of spinal cord injuries and is currently chairwoman of the Christopher Reeve Foundation. A Foundation spokeswoman said Dana Reeve was not a smoker.

Campaigners for lung-cancer research said they hoped Reeve's announcement would raise awareness and funding into anecdotal reports from doctors that it is affecting increasing numbers of non-smoking, younger women.