Disgraced Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong has said he was wrong to use the story of his fight against cancer to boost his image as he tried to fend off the doping accusations that eventually led to his downfall.

"I'd love to change it but I can't," the American, who survived testicular cancer, said after being reminded in an interview with cyclingnews.com he had once told journalists: "I've seen death in the face and I don't do drugs".

"It's inexcusable; it's embarrassing to hear that," said Armstrong, who was stripped of his seven Tour titles and banned from cycling for life last year after accusations he had cheated.