TV Judge Frank Caprio Celebrates End of 'Debilitating' Cancer Treatment: 'Ringing the Bell of Healing' (Exclusive)

“I went from getting pancreatic cancer and not many people having any hope that I live — to successfully completing five doses of radiation,” he tells PEOPLE

• Judge Frank Caprio was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in November 2023

• The Caught in Providence star completed months of chemotherapy and radiation

• He is now healthy enough to travel to attend the 2024 Daytime Emmy Awards, where he is nominated for Daytime Personality - Daily

Beloved Rhode Island traffic judge Frank Caprio is ringing that cancer bell loud and clear to celebrate the end of seven months of treatment.

The 87-year-old opened up to PEOPLE about finishing his final radiation treatment at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Caprio — the star of the reality TV show Caught in Providence — says it was “quite an experience” receiving a standing ovation for the milestone.

“I went from getting pancreatic cancer and not many people having any hope that I live — to successfully completing five doses of radiation,” he says.

Calling it a moment of “optimism” in his cancer journey, Caprio was surrounded by his loved ones and hospital staff as they cheered him on to ring the bell.

“Ringing that bell to me was more symbolic than anything else you could imagine,” he tells PEOPLE. “I'm ringing the bell of happiness. I'm ringing the bell of freedom of cancer. I'm ringing the bell of healing. I'm ringing the bell of giving hope to other people.”

“It was a very emotional experience,” he adds.

Related: TV Judge Frank Caprio Reveals Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis in Emotional Video: 'Please Pray for Me'

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Caprio was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in November 2023, just as he was celebrating his 87th birthday. He underwent six months of chemotherapy and five treatments of radiation, admitting that they had a “debilitating” effect on him for quite some time.

“So it's something that you can't give up hope because the treatment is a very trying experience,” he explains, noting that maintaining his mental stability was so important during this time. “You have to dig down deep within your courage and make up your mind that you're going to beat this.”

“Fortunately for me, I was able to receive some excellent medical care. I know that it was a bleak prognosis but I never gave up hope,” Caprio says. “And it's been an uphill battle.”

Pancreatic cancer accounts for about 3% of all cancers in the United States and is more common in men than in women. More than 66,000 people a year are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and more than 51,500 are expected to die from it in 2024 alone, according to the American Cancer Society.

Symptoms — including intense back pain, loss of appetite, depression, fatigue, new-onset diabetes and jaundice — often don't reveal themselves until after the cancer has reached an advanced stage.

Related: Maria Menounos Felt Like She Was Going to 'Explode Inside' Due to 'Severe' Pain from Pancreatic Cancer

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Caprio has served as a Providence Municipal Court Judge since 1985. He’s known for his caring personality in the courtroom on his show Caught in Providence, which was nominated for Daytime Emmy awards in 2021-2023.

This year, Caprio also landed a nomination for Daytime Personality - Daily at the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards. After completing treatment and being cleared to travel, the beloved judge is now in Los Angeles with his family to attend the show, which will broadcast live on June 7.

Caprio missed last year’s event due to his cancer treatments. The awards show took place in December after it was postponed due to union action, including the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike and SAG-AFTRA strike.

“Last time I didn't attend because I was going through chemotherapy. I thought that I would never be able to travel again,” he tells PEOPLE. “But here I am in Los Angeles. So the nomination just makes me feel very proud. And I don't care what anyone says to you, if you're nominated, you're hoping that you win. So I'm hoping I win. But if I don't, I recognize the talent of other people and I wish them well.”

“I just feel honored and I feel great,” Caprio adds. “It's just something that was beyond belief last year.”

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Read the original article on People.