Photo: George Burns/Harpo Studios

Michael says he's a much different man now than when he was first diagnosed. "I know that I'm much closer to my friends and family," Michael says, holding back tears. "I have a much deeper appreciation of family and friends."

Watch Michael's emotional response   

When the news broke that Michael had cancer, he says he was also struck by his fans' response. "For somebody who has no formal religious education—my father's Jewish, my mother's the Church of England—the amount of prayers and support that I received worldwide, I think, truly did have an influence and help in what happened," Michael says. "I was overwhelmed by the love."