Longtime “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek said he is doing well after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year.
“I’m doing well,” Trebek said in a video posted to the show’s official Twitter account. “I’ve been continuing my treatment and it is paying off though it does fatigue me a great deal. My numbers are good. I’m feeling great.”
The 79-year-old legendary TV host, who will turn 80 on July 22, announced in March 2019 that he was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
“Now, in the meantime, I’m here at home recording show openings for some very special ‘Jeopardy!’ episodes that will be coming up in July,” the host said. “For the first time ever, we are going to open the ‘Jeopardy!’ vaults and take another look at some of our favorite episodes, including the very first ‘Jeopardy!’ show I ever hosted—mustache and all.”
Here’s a summer update from Alex! ☀️ pic.twitter.com/6oKJ5aSCU7
— Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) July 16, 2020
He also said he is working on a book, “The Answer Is … Reflections on My Life,” slated for release on July 21.
“I can’t wait to return to the studio and start recording shows for the new season in September,” Trebek said. “Meanwhile, my wish for all of you—stay safe.”
Last year, Trebek said he wanted to use his diagnosis to tell people about the symptoms.
“I wish I had known sooner that the persistent stomach pain I experienced before my diagnosis was a symptom of pancreatic cancer,” Trebek said at the time. “Common symptoms can include mid-back pain, unexplained weight loss, new-onset diabetes and the yellowing of the skin or eyes.”
According to the American Cancer Society, about 57,600 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the United States in 2020. Of those, about 47,050 people will die of the cancer.
Pancreatic cancer accounts for about 3 percent of all cancers in the country and about 7 percent of all cancer deaths, the agency noted. It added that it is “slightly more common” for men to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer than for women.
Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.
