FILE – Country music recording artist Toby Keith performs on NBC’s Today show at Rockefeller Plaza on Friday, July 5, 2019, in New York. Keith, the Country music singer-songwriter has died. A statement posted on his website says Keith, who was battling stomach cancer, died peacefully Monday, Feb. 5, 2024 surrounded by his family. (Photo by Greg Allen/Invision/AP, File)
Toby Keith, the popular country musician, passed away at the age of 62 after struggling with stomach cancer. His death has prompted Colorado doctors to emphasize the seriousness of the disease, which claims approximately 11,000 lives in the United States each year.
Dr. Jason Henry, a medical oncologist at Sarah Cannon Research Institute at HealthONE in Denver, stated that he has been approached by several individuals seeking advice on whether they should undergo gastric cancer screening. According to him, the initial indicators of stomach cancer are often overlooked.
Henry explained that the presence of cancer in the stomach can prevent food from progressing as it should, resulting in symptoms such as heartburn, weight loss, and abdominal discomfort. Nausea, vomiting, and fatigue are also potential symptoms. Advanced-stage symptoms may include black stool.
Due to the challenges associated with diagnosing stomach cancer and the vagueness of its symptoms, many patients are diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, which is typically incurable. Henry mentioned that common risk factors for stomach cancer include age, obesity, a diet high in salt, alcohol or tobacco use, and prior H. pylori bacterial infections.
Early detection significantly increases the likelihood of successful treatment. Therefore, individuals experiencing common symptoms like heartburn should consult a doctor promptly. Henry reassured, “If you are concerned, we are concerned, and there are usually straightforward tests that we can conduct to either ease your worries or identify any problems.”
