Douglas: 'Cancer brought family together'

Michael Douglas has claimed that his family have become united by his battle with cancer.

The Wall Street actor, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment after a tumour was discovered at the base of his tongue, described how his illness had brought on a greater connection to his three children with wife Catherine Zeta-Jones, and prompted him to be more open about his jailed son Cameron, who is currently serving a five-year sentence for drug dealing.

"The children have been fantastically supportive," he told The Daily Telegraph. "I've taken them to watch my radiation treatments so they understand what's going on, and I've taken them to see their brother in federal prison. It's brought us a little closer in some ways."

Despite the support of his family, Douglas added that he sometimes struggles to cope with the gruelling treatments he is subjected to.

"I'm finding that solitude and quiet is what I really need. I'm really enjoying listening to music and reading books, but the radiation and the increased soreness of my mouth and the chemo continue to knock me out.

"On the one hand, my tumour is shrinking and getting a lot smaller, but on the other, the processes used to eliminate it is taking a big toll."