Country singer Toby Keith succumbed to stomach cancer on February 5, 2024, more than two years after the fall of 2021 marked the diagnosis.
The news of his passing was communicated through a message on the artist’s website.
Keith, who had been transparent about his battle with cancer, took the stage for the first time since the diagnosis at the People’s Choice Country Awards on Sept. 28, 2023, where he delivered an unforgettable performance. Subsequently, he achieved three sold-out shows in Las Vegas in December 2023.
Toby Keith’s health journey, marked by multiple cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, concluded on the aforementioned date.
A message on his website conveyed, “Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on February 5th, surrounded by his family. He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time.”
Having disclosed his stomach cancer diagnosis in June 2022, Keith shared the challenges of treatment and his determination to return to the stage. He affirmed, “Last fall I was diagnosed with stomach cancer. I’ve spent the last 6 months receiving chemo, radiation, and surgery. So far, so good. I need time to breathe, recover, and relax. I am looking forward to spending this time with my family. But I will see the fans sooner than later. I can’t wait.”
Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, manifests when cancer cells develop anywhere in the stomach. Mayo Clinic specifies that in the U.S., it commonly originates where the esophagus connects to the stomach.
Dr. William Chey, a gastroenterologist at the University of Michigan Health, remarked that Keith’s treatments were more typical for late-stage stomach cancers. He highlighted the difficulty in early detection due to symptoms like indigestion, abdominal pain, and nausea, which are easy to ignore.
Stomach cancer, the fifth most prevalent cancer globally, disproportionately affects men and people of color. Factors contributing to the risk include genetics, certain medical conditions, a diet low in fruits and vegetables, high consumption of processed foods, tobacco use, and environmental factors.
Keith’s performance in December 2023 at Las Vegas’ Dolby Live venue, with all shows sold out, demonstrated his resilience. At the People’s Choice Country Awards in September 2023, he expressed, “I feel pretty good.” Elaborating on his health journey to E! News, he described it as a roller coaster with good and bad days.
The country star, accompanied by his wife Tricia Lucus, performed “Don’t Let the Old Man In” at the event, explaining his choice was inspired by his cancer journey. NBC’s pre-show event captured his sentiment: “I’ve been going through my cancer fight for the last couple of years, and it’s really inspiring for a lot of people.”
Keith’s public announcement of his diagnosis lacked specific prognosis details, but he emphasized the necessity of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery for at least six months. Early detection increases the curability of stomach cancer, though late-stage diagnoses pose greater challenges.
In June 2023, Keith shared progress, stating his tumor had shrunk by one-third, and blood scans indicated positive health trends. Optimistic about the future, he shared in a December 2022 interview that the treatments, though debilitating, were leading towards positive outcomes.
Keith’s three-night performance in Las Vegas in December 2023, announced on Instagram, confirmed his enduring popularity, with all tickets sold out well in advance. As of the latest update, no future performance dates were listed on his website beyond those December nights.
