Ryan ONeal appears in a scene from the 2011 OWN show Ryan and Tatum. - Provided courtesy of OWN

Ryan O'Neal diagnosed with stage 2 prostate cancer

04/13/2012 by Olivia Allin

Ryan O'Neal announced on Friday that he has been diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer, almost three years after his longtime partner Farrah Fawcett died of anal cancer at age 62.

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"Recently I was diagnosed with stage 2 prostate cancer," O'Neal said in a statement obtained by OnTheRedCarpet.com. "Although I was shocked and stunned by the news, I feel fortunate that it was detected early and according to my extraordinary team of doctors the prognosis is positive for a full recovery."

"I am deeply grateful for the support of my friends and family during this time, and I urge everyone to get regular check-ups, as early detection is the best defense against this horrible disease that has afflicted so many," the statement continued.

Fawcett and Ryan O'Neal met in 1979 - 12 years after his divorce from his daughter Tatum O'Neal's mother. The pair dated until 1998 and reconnected in 2001, when O'Neal was diagnosed with myelogenous leukemia. O'Neal wrote a memoir about his life with the "Charlie's Angels" actress entitled "Both of Us," which is slated to hit shelves on May 1.

The 70-year-old "Love Story" actor has four grown children from three different relationships - Tatum and Griffin, 47, from his first marriage to Joanna Moore, Patrick, 43, from his second marriage to actress Leigh Taylor-Young and Redmond, 27, who was his only child with Fawcett.

Tatum O'Neal, a 48-year-old former child actress who won an Oscar for her role in the 1973 film "Paper Moon," recently denied rumors that she is back in rehab. The actress who was estranged from her father for about two decades has long struggled with substance abuse problems.

Redmond O'Neal returned to jail in September and had his probation revoked after he admitted that he used methamphetamine while serving time in a rehab facility.

CORRECTION: In an earlier press release, Ryan O'Neal's spokesman said the actor had stage 4 prostate cancer, but the spokesman now says he has stage 2 prostate cancer. The above story has been edited to reflect this change.