In a heartwarming video message, “Jeopardy!” host, Alex Trebek, 79, has faced “a lot of not-so-good days” in the year since his diagnosis with pancreatic cancer. But on the anniversary of his diagnosis, Trebek told fans and viewers that he has powerful reasons for refusing to give up. “The one-year survival rate for stage 4 pancreatic cancer patients is 18%,” he explained. “I’m very happy to report that I have just reached that marker.”
Read MoreAlex Trebek’s Pancreatic Cancer Journey
Trebek, who has spoken openly about his bouts of chemo-induced depression continued with the same openness: “I’d be lying if I said the journey had been an easy one. There were some good days. But a lot of not-so-good days. I joked with friends that the cancer won't kill me; the chemo treatments will. There were moments of great pain; days when certain bodily functions no longer functioned, and sudden massive attacks of great depression that made me wonder if it really was worth fighting on.” RELATED: Beloved 'Jeopardy!' Host Alex Trebek Awaits New Test Results as 'GOAT' Continues Is His Chemo Working?“But I brushed that aside quickly because that would have been a massive betrayal. A betrayal of my wife and soulmate, Jean, who has given her all to help me survive,” he said, listing the reasons he’s felt inspired to push through difficult days.
What else inspires Trebek? “…other cancer patients,” he said, “who have looked to me as an inspiration and a cheerleader of sorts of the value of living and hope.”
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (also known as PanCAN), released a statement Wednesday expressing their appreciation to Trebek for his role in raising awareness of the disease. “Alex Trebek has transformed the conversation around pancreatic cancer and provided hope to people impacted by this disease.”
Precision Medicine: “Know Your Tumor”
Earlier this week, PanCAN announced new research that revealed pancreatic cancer patients who receive precision medicine live an average of one year longer than those who do not. This is the first study to demonstrate an overall survival benefit from precision medicine in pancreatic cancer patients.
PanCAN recommends that all pancreatic cancer patients undergo testing of both their tumor tissue (molecular profiling) and blood or saliva for genetic (germline) changes to determine if they have an "actionable alteration" and to identify treatment options for that patient. The organization a free Know Your Tumor precision medicine service as well as free, in-depth, and personalized resources and information on the disease.
Dr. Ronald Natale of the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles says precision medicine, which matches cancer treatments to specific characteristics such as genetic mutations, has changed the way many cancers — including his focus, lung cancer — are treated and changing the doctor-patient conversation.
A Message To Those Living With Cancer
Faith has played a role in his perseverance as well. Giving up, he explained, “would certainly have been a betrayal of my faith in God and the millions of prayers that have been said on my behalf.”
Then he shared a private conversation: “You know my oncologist tried to cheer me up the other day,” Trebek continued. “He said "Alex, even though the two-year survival rate is only 7%," he was certain that — one year from now — the two of us would be sitting in his office celebrating my second anniversary of survival.”
Trebek clearly identifies himself as a member of the cancer community — and he finished his update with a message directed at others who are coping with diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. “And you know something? If I – no, if we, because so many of us are involved in this same situation. If we take it just one day at a time with a positive attitude, anything is possible.”
Recognizing Symptoms Leads to Earlier Diagnosis
One significant impact of the "Jeopardy!" host's remarkable openness about his disease is known as The Trebek Effect, which has triggered an unprecedented level of awareness of pancreatic cancer and the warning signs that can help speed a diagnosis. In Trebek's PSA for the World Pancreatic Coalition, he acknowledged the low survival rate for pancreatic cancer, "In nearly every country, pancreatic cancer is the only major cancer with a five-year survival rate in the single digits."
The best way to combat the disease, Trebek said, is by letting people know it exists and needs attention. "And that's why I've joined forces with the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition, to help raise global awareness of the risks and symptoms of pancreatic cancer."
Trebek got personal when he identified the symptoms he wished he'd recognized before he was diagnosed with his disease, "I wish I had known sooner that the persistent stomach pain I experienced before my diagnosis was a symptom of pancreatic cancer." He went on to list more symptoms so that viewers could be better informed, "Other common symptoms can include mid back pain, unexplained weight loss, new onset diabetes and the yellowing of the skin or eyes."
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