Here's everything to know about Toby Keith's cause of death following the country singer's brave battle.
Keith shared his tragic stomach cancer diagnosis with his fans in a post on X in June 2022. At that time, he confirmed that he had already undergone six months of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.
Two years after learning about his diagnosis, the country singer passed away.
Toby Keith's Cause of Death: What To Know About Stomach Cancer
A statement on Instagram said the singer-songwriter died peacefully after battling stomach cancer since the fall of 2021.
"He fought his fight with grace and courage," the statement continued. "Please respect the privacy of his family at this time."
Keith had been open about his cancer journey that he also dedicated his time helping other cancer-stricken individuals in fighting the disease. In one of his interviews, he disclosed that his journey had been "a bit of a rollercoaster."
"I've been doing - been on the old rollercoaster, but Almighty's riding shotgun. He's letting me drive for some reason, but we're making a big announcement," he said when he announced his shows. "I'm doing a little deal and thought I'd start in the great Las Vegas."
According to the National Cancer Institute, stomach cancer starts in the cells lining a person's stomach. Among its early symptoms include stomach discomfort, mild nausea, loss of appetite, heartburn and a bloated feeling.
Once progressed, stomach cancer can cause vomiting, trouble swallowing, jaundice, stomach pain, weight loss, blood in the stool and build-up of fluid in the patient's abdomen.
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To determine what type of stomach cancer a person has, they need to undergo different tests to diagnose them properly, including barium swallows, upper endoscopy with biopsy, CT scan and biomarker testing.
The institute says the survival rate of a person diagnosed with stomach cancer depends on the prognosis, the stage of the illness and the overall health. Usually, people with the condition have a 5-year survival rate, still depending on the stage of the cancer.
Keith did not disclose the symptoms he had before he was diagnosed with cancer, but he learned about it only months after taking time out from making tours due to the pandemic.
He is survived by his wife, three children and grandchildren.
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