An A-list cast of stars have joined forces to help in the battle against cancer by appearing at a major fundraiser in Los Angeles.

Actors Matt Damon, Michael Douglas and Tom Hanks were among the stars to show up on stage and send personal messages out during the Stand Up To Cancer telethon.

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow told the audience in LA on Friday: "I am here tonight because I lost my father to cancer. I was with him until the end, and up until his death he was the love of my life."

Looking gaunt but determined, Michael Douglas spoke about his own battle with cancer: "I was just like any other man, husband, father, brother, son fighting for his life. Cancer didn't bring me to me knees, it brought me to my feet. I stand tonight because I want to be part of this effort to find an end to cancer."

Actress Sofia Vergara was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2000 but overcame it with surgery and chemotherapy, and is now cancer free.

"I know how scary cancer diagnosis can be. It was for me. But I beat cancer, and I know we can turn tears of sorrow into tears of joy if we support this movement," she said.

The SU2C telethons have run for three years and have so far raised over $180m for cancer research and research grants.