Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek has released a new PSA for pancreatic cancer to raise awareness for the disease he is battling.
In a 60-second public service announcement, Trebek talks about the risks and symptoms of the disease. The video was released on Wednesday in support of the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition.
“In nearly every country, pancreatic cancer is the only major cancer with a five-year survival rate in the single digits. Now, in order to help patients, fight and survive this disease, more attention and awareness are needed,” the 79-year-old stated.
Trebek said he wanted to spread the word regarding the symptoms of pancreatic cancer to make people more aware. It was important to him to get the symptoms out in the public because he wishes he had known what to look for before his diagnosis.
“I wish I had known sooner that the persistent stomach pain I experienced before my diagnosis was a symptom of pancreatic cancer. Other common symptoms can include mid-back pain, unexplained weight loss, new-onset diabetes and the yellowing of the skin or eye,” he expressed in the PSA.
The long-time game show host also encouraged people to wear purple throughout November to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer. He also asked people to spread the word regarding any information about the disease on social media.
Trebek’s new PSA comes weeks before World Pancreatic Cancer Day, which is slated for November 21st. In March, he shared his diagnosis of the deadly disease. The host admitted in his announcement the prognosis is not normally very good for those fighting pancreatic cancer.
However, he made it clear he would be fighting. Although he was doing really well in the beginning, Trebek suffered a setback in September.
Alex Trebek reveals to @tjholmes he will need to undergo another round of chemotherapy as he begins the new season of @Jeopardy. “Cancer is mysterious in more ways than one.” https://t.co/7UgSClQdI5 pic.twitter.com/B0kxEM0Eg2
— Good Morning America (@GMA) September 17, 2019
“I was doing so well. And my numbers went down to the equivalent of a normal human being who does not have pancreatic cancer. So, we were all very optimistic. And they said, ‘Good, we’re gonna stop chemo, we’ll start you on immunotherapy,” he shared in an interview with Good Morning America.
Alex Trebek is using his platform as Jeopardy! host to spread awareness about pancreatic cancer. He is participating in a new PSA to get the word out on the disease that may very well cost him his life.
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The host will continue to be honest regarding his battle to keep further enlighten people about pancreatic cancer.
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