Alex Trebek: Jeopardy! host discusses ‘great pain’ and ‘great depression’ one year after cancer diagnosis

TV icon says he has found support from his wife, other cancer patients, and religion

(YouTube / Jeopardy!)

Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek gave a moving update about his health, one year after being diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer.

The TV icon has openly discussed his health situation since first opening up about the diagnosis.

In a new video, he said “the one-year survival rate for stage four pancreatic cancer patients is 18%”.

“I’m very happy to report I have just reached that marker,” he added.

Trebek told viewers the past year hasn’t been easy, especially when undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

“There were moments of great pain, days when certain bodily functions no longer functioned, and sudden, massive attacks of great depression that made me wonder if it really was worth fighting on,” he said.

“But I brushed that aside quickly, because that would have been a massive betrayal – a betrayal of my wife and soulmate Jean, who has given her all to help me survive.”

Trebek said the “betrayal” would also have applied to other cancer patients who have looked to him as a cheerleader, as well as to his faith.

“My oncologist tried to cheer me up the other day. He said, ‘Alex, even though the two-year survival rate is only 7%,’ he was certain that one year from now, the two of us would be sitting in his office celebrating my second anniversary of survival,” he added.

“And you know something? If I – no, if we, because so many of us are involved in the same situation, if we take it just one day at a time with a positive attitude, anything is possible.

“I’ll keep you posted.”