Family members of veteran actor Val Kilmer are allegedly afraid he may be allowing his religious beliefs prevent him from getting the medical treatment he needs for a growing tumor.

According to TMZ, the 55-year-old Kilmer was recently rushed to the UCLA Medical Center where doctors found him to be bleeding from the throat and in need of emergency surgery.

Since that time, family members insist Kilmer has refused to seek additional treatment because it would not be in keeping with his Christian Science beliefs. Kilmer has been suffering from his condition since last summer and has frequently experienced periods where he has found it hard to speak, at least partly because of extensive swelling around his neck.

Christian Science followers believe prayer heals all and medical treatment should be avoided whenever possible.

Several media outlets have reported Kilmer was rushed to the hospital last month after he began spitting up blood. Since then, family members have tried to convince the "Top Gun" star to continue to seek treatment but to no avail.

Last October, Kilmer appeared in small claims court in hopes of settling a dispute with a former landlord, only to be forced to inform the judge he was unable to speak because his tongue was swollen. In recent times, Kilmer has taken to wearing scarves and other items of clothing to supposedly cover up the swelling around his neck.

Family members are concerned Kilmer may be in more pain than he is letting on because he fears it may somehow be seen as an admission prayer isn't working if he hasn't already been cured.

Kilmer has starred in such films as "The Doors," as Jim Morrison, "Tombstone," as Doc Holliday and "Batman Forever," as Bruce Wayne.