Ever since he was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in March 2019, Alex Trebek has beaten the odds while openly sharing the wisdom he’s gained during his cancer journey. Here, we’ve collected the Trebek insights into powerful lessons for the SurvivorNet community.
Awareness Saves Lives
“I wish I had known sooner that the persistent stomach pain I experienced before my diagnosis was a symptom of pancreatic cancer," Trebek shared in a November 2019 PSA for the World Pancreatic Coalition, which has drawn over 186,000 views. "Other common symptoms can include mid-back pain, unexplained weight loss, new-onset diabetes and the yellowing of the skin or eyes."
Read MoreYou Are Not a Statistic
In March, Trebek announced that he had beaten the odds and survived for one year after his stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis, a milestone achieved by only 18% of patients with the same diagnosis. His next goal, join the even fewer survivors who make it to year two — a statistic that dips to 7%. Still, Trebek said, his oncologist was looking forward to celebrating his secondKelly Shanahan, a doctor living with metastatic breast cancer, explains why she doesn’t live by the statistics.
anniversary of survival — and he invited others fighting the disease to join him in achieving that goal: “If we take it just one day at a time, with a positive attitude, anything is possible,” he said.
“Statistics apply to large populations — not people,” says Kelly Shanahan, a doctor and metastatic breast cancer patient (above) who’s also beating the odds. Like Trebek, Shannahan says her greatest hope remains with research, which is why she is an activist for improving clinical trials and an advocate for metastatic-specific research.
Depression Is A Cancer Side-Effect
In a prime-time interview with ABC’s Michael Strahan, Trebek revealed that he’s experienced bouts of depression since his diagnosis.
RELATED: Alex Trebek Admits to Depression During Cancer, and He's Not Alone 4 Ways to Cope
"My oncologist told me one of the symptoms, if you will, of pancreatic cancer, is that you get these moments of depression, sadness."
Dr. Scott Irwin, a psychiatrist and Director of Supportive Care Services at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, on treating depression during cancer care.
"I'm not used to dealing with the surges that come on suddenly of deep, deep sadness and it brings tears to my eye. I've discovered in this whole episode, ladies and gentlemen, that I'm a bit of a wuss," he said.
Love and Humor Matter
Despite the emotional side-effects, Trebek remains committed to maintaining a positive attitude. "My self-deprecating humor is worth its weight in gold," he said. But he's also accepting of his uncertain prognosis, noting, "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," he continued, "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."
The Power of Purpose
Although “Jeopardy!” tapings are currently on hold, due to the coronavirus outbreak, Trebek has found support in his workplace family (which includes his daughter Nicky, who works on the show), contestants, and fans.
In a recent interview with comedian, Paula Poundstone’s podcast, Trebek shared that he arrives at the studio by 6 a.m.on shooting days. “We tape 3 shows in a row with one audience," he said, followed by a break. "And then we tape the last two shows with another audience." This two-day per week schedule, Trebek explains, captures ten shows.
"There are weaknesses that I feel in my body … but I can always suck it up [when] Johnny says, 'And now, here's the host of Jeopardy," he told CTV news in an interview.
From quarantine, Trebek also announced that he's been finishing his memoir, "The Answer Is…: Reflections on My Life," which will be published on July 21.
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