Toby Keith is sharing an update on his health after revealing last year that he had been diagnosed with stomach cancer. “It’s pretty debilitating,” Keith said of his cancer diagnosis. Despite all the challenges, Keith is staying positive, making music, and is grateful for all the fan support.
Toby Keith’s Cancer Diagnosis
The country star, who was diagnosed with Stage IV stomach cancer in January, revealed that he’s been undergoing treatment for the disease and how it’s affected his life.
Keith has since undergone surgery to remove part of his stomach and says his prognosis is good. He’s currently in remission and is scheduled to start radiation therapy soon.
Symptoms of Stomach Cancer
Toby’s circumstances are a reminder to stay vigilant about our bodies and not ignore the warning signs. One telltale sign of stomach cancer to look out for is a burning sensation around the middle of the abdomen. Other symptoms may include:
- Abdominal pain
- Difficulty swallowing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Low or no appetite
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Blood in the stool
Treatment for Stomach Cancer
If the cancer is small and has not spread, a partial gastrectomy may be sufficient.
If cancer has spread outside of the stomach or if it is large, a total gastrectomy may be necessary. This involves removing the stomach and a portion of the esophagus and small intestine.
Chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be used in addition to surgery to destroy the remaining cancer cells. These treatments are also available if surgery isn’t an option.
What to Do If You Have Stomach Cancer
Many different treatments for stomach cancer available are available, here’s a quick rundown:
- Surgery is often the first step in treating stomach cancer.
- Radiation therapy uses targeted high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells.
- Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cells. Chemo can be given as an injection or orally.
If you’re diagnosed with stomach cancer, it is important to start treatment early for the best chances of recovery.
