Farrah Fawcett has ended speculation about her health by confirming she is undergoing treatment for cancer.

Fawcett released a statement saying the disease had only been diagnosed recently, and involved a "fast-growing tumour", though she declined to state the type of cancer from which she is suffering.

She explained: "I am determined to bite the bullet and fight the fight while going through the next six weeks of cutting edge, state-of-the-art treatment. I should be able to return to my life as it was before."