Current:Home > NewsToby Keith dies after cancer battle: What to know about stomach cancer -Infinite Edge Learning
Toby Keith dies after cancer battle: What to know about stomach cancer
Benjamin Ashford View
Date:2025-04-07 01:33:31
Legendary country musician Toby Keith didn't let his fight against stomach cancer slow him down.
The singer-songwriter died Monday surrounded by his family, according to a statement posted on the country singer's website. "He fought his fight with grace and courage," the statement said.
Keith announced his cancer diagnosis in June of 2022, saying he had been receiving radiation, chemotherapy and surgery for six months. "I am looking forward to spending this time with my family. But I will see the fans sooner than later," he said via Instagram. "I can’t wait."
And Keith kept his word.
In November 2022, Keith was awarded the 2022 BMI Icon Award at the BMI Country Awards, an event celebrating the songwriters and music publishers behind the 50 most-performed country songs of the year.
In June, he hosted a live auction as part of the 19th annual Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic weekend. His two-day hometown charity event raised funds for the Toby Keith Foundation's OK Kids Korral, a free lodging service for children and their families who are seeking cancer treatment in Oklahoma City.
"I'm feeling pretty good. ... I'm about another eight weeks from my last scan. So, I expect next time I look for that tumor to be even less — and I've only got one that's shown up," Keith told The Oklahoman, part of the USA TODAY Netowrk, in an exclusive interview this past June.
On Sept. 28, Keith performed at the inaugural People's Choice Country Awards, where he was also honored with the Country Icon Award, presented to him by Blake Shelton. After accepting the award, Keith performed his song "Don't Let the Old Man In."
Keith is "the man who taught me more about performing than anyone else," said Shelton.
Released in November, his latest album, "Songwriter," is a collection of 13 originally written hits from his career.
"Writing is something that if the music business went completely away tomorrow — radio stations quit existing and music quit being popular and it was old hat — I would still write songs," he said in a post to X.
In December, Keith performed dual Las Vegas "rehab" shows, as he referred to them, to allow him to get reacquainted with performing amid his diagnosis. The shows would be the final performances before his death.
Here is what we know about about his battle with stomach cancer.
Toby Keith dies at 62:Bobby Bones, Stephen Baldwin, more pay tribute
What is stomach cancer?
According to the American Cancer Society, stomach cancer begins when cells in the stomach start to grow out of control. Stomach cancer is different from other cancers that can occur in the abdominal region, like colon, liver, or pancreas cancer. These cancers can have different symptoms, outlooks and different treatments.
Stomach cancers tend to develop slowly over time. Before a true cancer develops, pre-cancerous changes can occur in the inner lining of the stomach. Because these changes rarely cause symptoms, they often go undetected.
What causes stomach cancer?
There are many risk factors that increases the chances of getting cancer, such as age, sex, diet, and alcohol and tobacco use, among others. While some factors can be controlled, others can not. The American Cancer Society says it's not often clear exactly how different factors might affect how cells in the stomach become cancer cells.
The subject is still being researched.
Is there a cure for stomach cancer?
The main stomach cancer treatments involve surgery, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, immunotherapy and radiation therapy.
The American Cancer Society says that often the best approach uses 2 or more types of treatment. The treatment received will depend on factors like the location and the stage of the cancer.
Toby Keith,country singer-songwriter, dies after stomach cancer battle
What did Toby Keith say about his cancer treatment?
Keith told The Oklahoman in June that he was continuing with chemo and his blood tests have looked good.
"Basically, everything is in a real positive trend. You never know with cancer, so you have to prepare. But my goal is, I feel better; I've got more wind. And I'm thinking about bringing the band in and setting up, playing two or three days somewhere just to see if I can get through two hours," Keith said.
"And if I do, (I'll) be out on the road this fall."
Contributing: Kristin M. Hall, The Associated Press
Toby Keith,in one of his final interviews, remained optimistic amid cancer battle
veryGood! (4712)
Related
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- See Gisele Bündchen Strut Her Stuff While Pole Dancing in New Fashion Campaign
- Tale Of Tesla, Elon Musk Is Inherently Dramatic And Compellingly Told In 'Power Play'
- Here's how to rethink your relationship with social media
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- Sarah Ferguson Shares Royally Sweet Update on Queen Elizabeth II's Corgis
- Amid escalating violence, 3 rockets launched at Israel from Syria, Israeli military says
- Chocolate Easter bunnies made with ecstasy seized at Brussels airport: It's pure MDMA
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- Your Radio, TV And Cellphone May Start Blaring Today. Do Not Be Alarmed
Ranking
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Lifeboat and door found in search for Japanese army Black Hawk helicopter feared down in sea
- Internet Outage That Crashed Dozens Of Websites Caused By Software Update
- Jesse Spencer Is Returning to Chicago Fire Following Taylor Kinney's Temporary Leave
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- McCarthy meets with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen in California over objections from China
- Shop These 17 Award-Worthy Dresses Before Your Oscars 2023 Viewing Party
- Reporters Reveal 'Ugly Truth' Of How Facebook Enables Hate Groups And Disinformation
Recommendation
New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
Rihanna, Ana de Armas, Austin Butler and More Score First-Ever Oscar Nominations
Elizabeth Holmes Plans To Accuse Ex-Boyfriend Of Abuse At Theranos Fraud Trial
Knock 3 Times To Reveal These Secrets About Now and Then
The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
Apple Will Scan U.S. iPhones For Images Of Child Sexual Abuse
An Economist's Advice On Digital Dependency
King Charles III supports investigation into monarchy's links to slavery, Buckingham Palace says