By Soleil Easton
Alex Trebek is back in chemotherapy for his stage 4 pancreatic cancer which may cause his role as “Jeopardy!” host to come to a close.
Despite Trebek undergoing another round of chemo and facing physical difficulties, he still continues to host the highly-adored gameshow.
“There are weaknesses I feel in my body but I can always suck it up when it comes to tape the show,” he said.
However, Trebek revealed to CTV News that his treatment is causing sores in his mouth, making it difficult for him to enunciate when filming. He acknowledged that his time as host may be nearing its end
“I’m sure there are observant members of the television audience that notice also, but they’re forgiving,” he said. “But there will come a point when [fans and producers] will no longer be able to say, ‘It’s okay.’”
Alex Trebek has hosted “Jeopardy!” since 1984. He first revealed he was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in a video message on March 6. The 79-year-old host updated his fans in August that he is doing better. He told People that his doctors found it mind-boggling how his tumors shrank by 50% because of the chemotherapy.
But soon after stopping chemotherapy and returning to his hosting role in September, he hit a setback.
“I lost about 12 pounds in a week. And my numbers went sky high, much higher than they were when I was first diagnosed,” he told GMA News. “So the doctors have decided that I have to undergo chemo again and that’s what I’m doing.”
Trebek also shares with his fans the possibility that he may surrender to the disease.
“I’m not afraid of dying,” he told CTV News. “I’ve lived a good life, a full life, and I’m nearing the end of that life… if it happens, why should I be afraid?”