'I'm Going To Fight This': 'Jeopardy!' Host Alex Trebek Announces Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek has announced that he has stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He posted a message on the show's YouTube page Wednesday.

"I wanted to prevent you from reading or hearing some overblown or inaccurate reports regarding my health," Trebek said. "Just like 50,000 people in the United States each year, I've been diagnosed with state 4 pancreatic cancer. Now, normally the prognosis for this is not very encouraging – but I'm going to fight this."

Trebek, 78, says he plans to beat the low survival odds, and continue hosting "Jeopardy!" He also delivered a healthy dose of humor in his announcement.

"Truth told, I have to [survive] because under the terms of my contract, I have to host 'Jeopardy!' for three more years," Trebek said. "So help me. Keep the faith and we'll win. We'll get it done."

Trebek, who was born in Ontario, Canada, has been the beloved quizmaster on "Jeopardy!" since 1984.