'Jeopardy' host Alex Trebek releases touching PSA: 'I wished I had known sooner'

Alex Trebek is turning his battle with pancreatic cancer into an opportunity to help others avoid such a diagnosis.

The "Jeopardy" host, who was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in March, released a new public service announcement in an effort to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer, call attention to common symptoms and encourage people to get checked for the devastating disease.

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"In nearly every country, pancreatic cancer is the only major cancer with a five-year survival rate in the single digits," Trebek, 79, said. "More attention and awareness are needed, and thats why I've joined forces with the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition to help raise global awareness of the risks and symptoms of pancreatic cancer."

"I wished I had known sooner that the persistent stomach pain I experienced before my diagnosis was a symptom of pancreatic cancer," he added.

Trebek, who has been hosting the popular game show for 35 years now, first announced his diagnosis in March and revealed that he was undergoing chemotherapy. Despite saying five months later, in August, that he "gone through a lot of chemotherapy" and was "on the mend," he said earlier this month that he was gearing up for another round.

"We’re back on the chemo and we’ll see if the numbers go down. And if they do ... they can’t keep doing it forever of course. They’ll have to find a new protocol or whatever to administer," Trebek told CTV News. "We’ll play it by ear and keep chugging along until we either win or lose."

He added that his cancer battle has given him new perspective on his full life and endless accomplishments.

"[I’ve lived] a full life, and I’m nearing the end of that life ... if it happens, why should I be afraid that?" Trebek said. "One thing they’re not going to say at my funeral, as a part of a eulogy, is, 'He was taken from us too soon.'"