(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Michael Douglas says his life isnt all ha-ha-ha, but hes convinced he will beat his cancer.

Michael announced he was battling throat cancer last month, and has since revealed it is at stage four. By the time the walnut-sized tumour was found under his tongue, it had already spread to his neck and other parts of his head. The 65-year-old actor is undergoing intensive radiation and chemotherapy, and doctors are confident he will make a full recovery.

Michael remains optimistic about his diagnosis, and has opened up about his reasons for discussing his illness so openly.

Not going public with having cancer was not much of an option, even if I had objected. When you are a celebrity, nothing remains secret for very long. If it helps bring attention, then that is a major upside to this whole thing. Millions of families are going through the same thing my family and I are now going through. If I can bring any relief or encouragement, that's the good news, he told Parade magazine.

Life is not all ha-ha-ha. But I'm in good spirits. I'm an optimistic guy. Nothing has deterred me from my belief that I am going to beat this. My doctors' prognosis is for a full recovery. I have no reason to doubt them.

Michael held a press conference for his movie Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps in Manhattan yesterday, during which he was quizzed about his cancer. He called his current circumstances just another chapter in his life, and discussed whats helping him get through treatment.

Couldnt have picked a better time! Tennis has never been better, he joked. College football has just started. Got a Monday night game coming up with the Jets. Sports are really good. (C) Cover Media