Swayze's memoir set for fall release

NEW YORK, May 21 (UPI) -- Atria Books announced Thursday plans to release U.S. actor Patrick Swayze's memoir this fall.

The 56-year-old film and TV star, who has been battling pancreatic cancer for more than a year, is writing the book with Lisa Niemi, to whom he has been married since 1975.

E! Online said Swayze is expected to reflect on his childhood, career, marriage and illness in the forthcoming memoir.

"(He will share) his brave fight against a diagnosis of stage-4 pancreatic cancer, from which he has gleaned wisdom and has remained resolutely optimistic," the publisher said in a press release.

"With everything I've been fortunate enough to do in my life, and covering such a wide range of diverse subject matters, I'm told that my story has been inspirational to people," Swayze said in a statement issued to E! "I will write from my heart about these experiences and, aside from the sheer pleasure of doing it, if people happen to garner inspiration from it, or incentive, or find a new way to love, it would be wonderful."

Swayze is best known for his roles in the films "The Outsiders," "Dirty Dancing," "Ghost," "Point Break" and "Road House." He filmed his action TV show "The Beast," which recently aired its season finale, while undergoing treatment for cancer.