FOLLOW-UP REPORT

Paul Newman's longtime friend, neighbor and business partner A.E. Hotchner says that the actor is struggling with cancer adding to conflicting reports.

"I know that it's a form of cancer," Hotchner told The Associated Press. "It's a form of cancer and he's dealing with it."

Hotchner also talked about an operation Newman had a few years ago. "It was certainly somewhere in the area of the lung," he said.

"He's battling," Hotchner said. "He's doing all the right stuff. Paul is a fighter. He seems to be going through a good period right now."

Newman lives in Westport with his wife, Joanne Woodward.

He issued a statement late Tuesday that he's "doing nicely" but didn't specifically address questions about cancer.

Newman's reps have denied that the actor has cancer.