The stepdaughter of cancer victim Michael Landon has urged Patrick Swayze to keep his health battle to himself after suffering through a media hell that dogged her father's last days.

Little House On The Prairie star Landon lost his battle with pancreatic cancer in 1991, and Swayze's diagnosis has brought painful memories back for his stepdaughter Cheryl.

She recalls reading articles about her father's health in the tabloids - before he'd told family members, and she hopes Swayze will be spared that as he fights for his life.

Cheryl says, "What the tabloids did to my father was really cruel - they gave out information such as someone selling his CAT scan, and saying right away, 'It's over,' before we even found out from our father."

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)