Dolph Lundgren, 65, seen for the FIRST time since revealing eight year battle with lung cancer

Dolph Lundgren has been seen for the first time since revealing his secret eight-year battle with lung cancer – when the star stepped out for lunch in LA on Wednesday.

The Swedish actor, 65, known to millions for his role as ruthless Soviet boxer Ivan Drago in Rocky IV, confirmed that he has been battling cancer for the past eight years on Wednesday’s edition of In Depth with Graham Besinger.

Lundgren looked cheerful as he joined his fiancé Emma Krokdal, 25, for dinner in Beverly Hills.

The star wore a blue T-shirt, a fitted white blazer and black jeans, paired with monochromatic sneakers.

Emma matched her partner in a blazer, T-shirt and jeans as she chatted with him outside the restaurant.

Out and about: Lundgren looked in high spirits as he joined his fiancé Emma Krokdal, 25, for a meal in Beverly Hills

Lundgren revealed that he was first diagnosed with lung cancer in 2015 and speculated whether his past use of steroids for bodybuilding is to blame.

Discussing his diagnosis with Besinger, the actor said he went into remission but the cancer returned in 2020, leading doctors to give him a sobering life expectancy of 2-3 years.

The star went for a second opinion and the treatment he is now receiving has resulted in the tumors shrinking.

In an excerpt from the interview, still wearing a hospital gown, he says, “It’s the day after my surgery, they removed one tumor, then they removed two more that they found and three more small ones.

“Hopefully it’s cleaned up, if it dies, it dies,” he added, referring to his memorable quote in the 1985 movie Rocky IV, after his character Drago killed Apollo Creed during their practice match.

In a conversation with Bensinger, he recalled how he found out he had cancer again in 2020.

Lundgren says: ‘In 2020 I was back in Sweden and I had some kind of acid reflux, I didn’t know what it was, so I did an MRI.

“They found there were a few more tumors around that area.”

Surprise: The Swedish actor confirmed that he has been battling cancer for the past eight years on Wednesday’s edition of In Depth with Graham Besinger

Actor: The star wore a blue T-shirt, a fitted white blazer and black jeans, along with monochromatic sneakers

Engaged: Emma matches her partner in a blazer, T-shirt and jeans as she chatted with him outside the restaurant

Chat: The pair were talking outside The Ivy

Stroll: Dolph has been supported by his partner for three years

THE DANGERS OF STEROID ABUSE

Anabolic steroids are powerful, manufactured drugs that mimic the effects of testosterone.

Such medicines are available only by prescription and are given to stimulate muscle growth after surgery and to treat some forms of anemia.

Men with low testosterone levels can also get them on medication, which can come in the form of pills, injections, gels, and patches.

Yet thousands around the world take the drugs without medical advice to pursue Hollywood-like muscles or as performance enhancers.

However, doctors warn that the drugs – classified as a Class C in Britain and a Schedule III in the US – are addictive and have a catalog of serious side effects.

Side effects may include decreased sperm count, infertility, shrunken testicles, erectile dysfunction, hair loss, breast development, severe acne, and abdominal pain.

Fears: Dolph Lundgren has questioned whether his past steroid use contributed to his lung cancer diagnosis (pictured while exercising in 1987)

Having too much testosterone in the body can lead to increased aggression, called ‘roid rage’, insomnia and anxiety.

Studies have also linked steroids to an increased risk of prostate cancer.

Anabolic steroids are different from corticosteroids, another type of steroid drug that is more commonly prescribed.

When doctors prescribe steroids, they always advise tapering off slowly by gradually reducing the dose. Sudden withdrawal can cause symptoms such as depression, insomnia and headaches.

He continues, “They found another tumor in the liver so I was like aw s**** okay.

“It was then that it dawned on me that this was something serious. The surgeon called me and said it had grown, it was too big, it had grown to the size of a small lemon.

“I asked them how long I have left, I think he said 2-3 years, but I heard from his voice that he thought it was less. I thought that was it for sure.’

Lundgren said taking steroids had an impact on his body.

He said: ‘I tried steroids in the ’80s, ’90s. I don’t know if that has anything to do with the cancer, of course I noticed because it might have something to do with it.

“I’ve thought about it, you always think you made a mistake. I think there may be a connection between testosterone therapy and cancer.

“I was on steroids when I was younger, maybe for ten years. Depends on the kind of film I’ve made.’

Chat: The star was seen speaking to Emma during his cancer reveal

Icon: The acting legend spent time with loved ones during lunch

Talk: The Creed star looked focused as he talked to his loved ones

Walking: Dolph and Emma were seen chatting as they walked down the street

Good to see you: Dolph kissed his daytime companion on the cheek

Pictured: Lundgren plays Soviet boxer Ivan Drago alongside actor Sylvester Stallone in the 1985 film Rocky IV

Fighter: The actor, who is known for his muscular physique, says he has been battling cancer since 2015

Fiancée Emma Krokdal told Bensinger: “His mouth hurt really bad, his hands hurt and he couldn’t eat anything.

“That was a struggle, he lost weight. We realized it was much worse than we thought, they started talking about tumors in the lungs, stomach, spine, outside the kidneys.’

His daughter Ida told Bensinger, “It hit me when I had a deep conversation with my father about what would happen if he passed away.

“That was a horrible conversation, it was a tough time. I have to be strong for my sister.’

Lundgren said he then sought a second opinion on his diagnosis and spoke to Dr Alexandra Drakaki.

After a change in treatment, Lundgren says, his tumors had shrunk by 20 to 30 percent within three months.

Lundgren continues, “You just appreciate being lucky enough to be alive, and you appreciate every moment there is.”

Concern: In the interview, Lundgren admits to taking steroids in the 80s and 90s (Dolph is pictured in 1990)

Largely known for his roles in action-packed movies, Lundgren’s breakthrough role was as Ivan Drago in Rocky IV.

He would later reprise his role as Drago in Creed II in 2018.

After a long stint working on direct-to-video movies in the 90s, he returned to Hollywood in 2010 in The Expendables, alongside Rocky co-star Sylvester Stallone.

He has since reprized his role of Gunnar Jensen in the second and third films in the series, with a fourth expected later this year.

The full episode will be out later this month.