Alex Trebek’s Cancer PSA: ‘I Wish I Had Known Sooner’

Wire Service
By Wire Service
October 30, 2019Entertainment
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Alex Trebek’s Cancer PSA: ‘I Wish I Had Known Sooner’
"Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek during his show. (Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)

Alex Trebek is working hard to raise awareness about the pancreatic cancer he is battling.

The “Jeopardy!” host, who announced his stage 4 diagnosis in March, has teamed with the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition for a new public service announcement.

Trebek speaks in the video about the need for more attention and awareness about the disease and its symptoms.

Alex Trebek poses in the press room during the 46th annual Daytime Emmy Awards
Alex Trebek poses in the press room during the 46th annual Daytime Emmy Awards in Pasadena, Calif., on May 5, 2019. (Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images)

He shares that in most countries, pancreatic cancer is “the only major cancer with a five-year survival rate in the single digits.”

“I wish I had known sooner that the persistent stomach pain I experienced before my diagnosis was a symptom of pancreatic cancer,” he says in the video. “Other common symptoms can include mid back pain, unexplained weight loss, new onset diabetes and the yellowing of the skin or eyes.”

Pancreatic cancer is often a deadly disease because it frequently doesn’t get diagnosed until late stages.

Trebek encourages people in the video to wear purple in November and help spread the word about pancreatic cancer and its symptoms on social media.

Trebek speaks at his induction into the broadcasting hall of fame
“Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek speaks as he is inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Broadcasting Hall of Fame during the NAB Achievement in Broadcasting Dinner at the Encore Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 9, 2018. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

World Pancreatic Cancer Day is Nov. 21, 2019.

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