According to Deadline, Alex Trebek says fans have made him feel much better amid his battle with pancreatic cancer. Trebek along with his wife Jean sat down with ABC’s Michael Strahan to explain how the illness has affected their lives. Trebek said well-wishes from fans sometimes cause him to feel emotional.
During the interview, Trebek explained, “I don’t mind getting choked up. My oncologist told me one of the symptoms, if you will, of pancreatic cancer is that you get these moments of depression, sadness.”
Trebek first made the announcement that he was battling stage 4 cancer in March via Youtube video.
He explained that he first realized something was wrong because of severe stomach pain that caused him to eventually call his doctor.
Deadline reported that Trebek’s cancer went into remission several months ago, but he was forced to undergo another round of chemotherapy after a health downturn over the summer.
He continues to work around his house on construction projects and on TV. Next month he’ll host Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time tournament, beginning January 7.
Trebek has stated that despite his busy schedule, he remains optimistic about his health.
“I have learned something in the past year and it’s this: We don’t know when we’re going to die. Because of the cancer diagnosis, it’s no longer an open-ended life, it’s a closed-ended life because of the terrible … survival rates of pancreatic cancer. Because of that, and something else that is operating here, people all over America and abroad have decided they want to let me know now, while I’m alive, about the impact that I’ve been having on their existence.”
ABC’s interview and special titled What Is Jeopardy? Alex Trebek and America’s Most Popular Quiz Show, airs on Thursday, Jan. 2 at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC.