Alex Trebek Health Update: ‘Jeopardy!’ Host Back In Chemotherapy For Pancreatic Cancer

Alex Trebek appeared to be recovering well from stage 4 pancreatic cancer, although the Jeopardy! host is now reportedly receiving chemotherapy treatments again.

Alex Trebek Health Update

“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,” Trebek said in an interview that aired Tuesday on ABC’s Good Morning America. 

The 79-year-old Canadian added doctors had initially decided to stop chemotherapy because he had been responding so well to treatments. Trebek revealed in March that he was diagnosed with cancer and said he had completed his chemotherapy treatments in August.

Trebek returned for the Season 36 premiere of Jeopardy! on September 9 and appeared to be in good health.

However, the host said in this week’s interview that he lost 12 pounds in one week as a result of his treatments. Trebek also opened up about his struggle with depression.

“When it happened early on I was down on myself,” said Trebek. “I didn’t realize how fallible each of us is in his or her own way … I talk to the audience sometimes and I get teary eyed for no reason. I don’t even bother to explain it anymore, I just experience it. I know it’s a part of who I am and I just keep going.”

Trebek, who has been the host of Jeopardy! since 1984, also said he hopes to work for as long as possible.