Alex Trebek clarifies his statement about stopping cancer treatment – AOL
One day after releasing his memoir, Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek already has an update.
The TV staple had written in The Answer Is…Reflections on My Life that he would stop the experimental immunotherapy treatment that he’s undergoing for advanced pancreatic cancer.
“I’m going to stick with this current protocol, then that’s it. If it doesn’t work I’ll probably stop treatment,” he wrote.
But on Wednesday, Trebek clarified that he’s since changed his mind.
“That quote from the book was written BEFORE my current regimen, and I was going through some bad times,” Trebek explained on social media.
He added that his current numbers are “very good,” but if that changes, he would resume chemotherapy rather than stopping all treatment. “I am optimistic about my current plan,” Trebek added.
The host, who turned 80 on July 22, even apologized for any confusion.
Trebek has shared regular updates on his health since he revealed his diagnosis in March 2019. Just last week, he said he was “feeling great” albeit fatigued, which is a side effect of the treatment.
Still, he’s looking very forward to returning to the Jeopardy! podium he’s stood behind since 1984, as soon as the coronavirus pandemic allows. The Canadian-born TV star has vowed to continue in his role until he starts slipping.
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Alex Trebek and wife Jean Currivan
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HOLLYWOOD, CA – JUNE 04: TV personality Alex Trebek (L) and Jean Currivan Trebek attend the 43rd AFI Life Achievement Award Gala honoring Steve Martin at Dolby Theatre on June 4, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for AFI)
BURBANK, CA – APRIL 26: TV personality Alex Trebek (L) and Jean Currivan Trebek attend The 42nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at Warner Bros. Studios on April 26, 2015 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for NATAS)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 12: TV host Alex Trebek (L) and Jean Currivan Trebek attend the celebratory dinner after the special tribute to Sophia Loren during the AFI FEST 2014 presented by Audi at Dolby Theatre on November 12, 2014 in Hollywood, California. on November 12, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for AFI)
HOLLYWOOD, CA – JUNE 05: Jean Trebek (L) and TV personality Alex Trebek attend the 2014 AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Jane Fonda at the Dolby Theatre on June 5, 2014 in Hollywood, California. Tribute show airing Saturday, June 14, 2014 at 9pm ET/PT on TNT. (Photo by Michael Buckner/WireImage)
HOLLYWOOD, CA – JUNE 04: TV personality Alex Trebek (L) and Jean Trebek attend the 2014 AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Jane Fonda at the Dolby Theatre on June 5, 2014 in Hollywood, California. Tribute show airing Saturday, June 14, 2014 at 9pm ET/PT on TNT. (Photo by Kevin Winter/WireImage)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – APRIL 25: TV personality Alex Trebek (R) and Jean Trebek arrive at the Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation’s 19th Annual ‘Taste For A Cure’ at Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel on April 25, 2014 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JUNE 19: Alex Trebek (R) and Jean Currivan Trebek arrive at the 38th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards held at the Las Vegas Hilton on June 19, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
Alex Trebek and wife Jean Currivan attend Hollywood Stars Night Thoroughbred Horse Race on June 22, 1990 at Hollywood Park in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)
Alex Trebek and wife Jean Currivan attend the opening of ‘Jackie Mason – Brand New’ on May 30, 1990 at the Henry Fonda Theater in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)
Alex Trebek and Jean Currivan during The 49th Annual Thalians Ball at Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by John Heller/WireImage)
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During a Good Morning America interview onTuesday, he said the show is already preparing to resume taping once it’s allowed. For now, vintage episodes of the quiz show are airing.
“We’ve redesigned our set to separate the contestants and myself a little bit more from them,” Trebek said. “So we are taking all kinds of precautions. Our testing procedure now is done online.”
To adjust to the coronavirus pandemic, Jeopardy! will tape without a live audience on a schedule of five shows a day, two days week.
