"Hobbit" star IAN MCKELLEN has revealed that he's been battling prostate cancer for six or seven years.  He hasn't been treated for it yet, but he gets regular examinations and it hasn't spread.  McKellen is 73.

I first read "Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy when I was 9 years old, and thus began my love of reading. Ian has done an amazing job of bringing the character of Gandalf to life.

He says, quote, "You do gulp when you hear the news.  It's like when you go for an HIV test . . . you go 'Argh, is this the end of the road?'  You monitor it and you have to be careful it doesn't spread."

McKellen, who's 73, is doing well.  After all this time it hasn't spread, and he hasn't had any treatment.

He says, quote, "They say you can have it zapped.  You can have it snipped but you're not a candidate for that.  You are 'waitful watching.'  I am examined regularly and it's contained."