[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/toby-keith-and-stomach-cancer\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/toby-keith-and-stomach-cancer\/","headline":"Toby Keith and Stomach Cancer: RCCA Oncologists Discuss the Continued Impact of an Increasingly Uncommon Disease","name":"Toby Keith and Stomach Cancer: RCCA Oncologists Discuss the Continued Impact of an Increasingly Uncommon Disease","description":"When country music singer and songwriter Toby Keith died on February 5 at age 62, his passing brought renewed attention to a type of cancer that has become relatively uncommon in recent years.","datePublished":"2024-02-20","dateModified":"2025-03-25","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/author\/ceastway\/#Person","name":"ceastway","url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/author\/ceastway\/","identifier":5,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/007b7979610c70c3cd4b24ed960fb78ff62c0b68401d393e79cb483d56812050?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/007b7979610c70c3cd4b24ed960fb78ff62c0b68401d393e79cb483d56812050?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Regional Cancer Care Associates","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/logo.svg","url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/logo.svg","width":506,"height":228}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/GettyImages-1129490620.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/GettyImages-1129490620.jpg","height":1414,"width":2121},"url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/toby-keith-and-stomach-cancer\/","about":["All Cancers"],"wordCount":1361,"articleBody":"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tToby Keith and Stomach Cancer: RCCA Oncologists Discuss the Continued Impact of an Increasingly Uncommon Disease\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFebruary 20, 2024\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhen country music singer and songwriter Toby Keith died on February 5 at age 62, his passing brought renewed attention to a type of cancer that has become relatively uncommon in recent years.Keith died of stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer. He had been diagnosed with the condition in late 2021, and had been treated with chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.Seth Berk, MD, a board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist, says, \u201cGastric cancer was the leading cause of cancer death in the United States in the early part of the 20th Century, but today it represents just 1.5% of all cancer diagnoses. In 2024, the American Cancer Society estimates there will be roughly 26,890 new cases identified in the U.S., and about 10,880 deaths from the disease.\u201d1 Dr. Berk, who practices at the Moorestown, NJ office of Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA), one of the nation\u2019s largest oncology networks, adds that the diagnosis rate and the death rate for gastric cancer have been declining steadily in recent years.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhy are there fewer cases of the disease? Paul Bannen, MD, says that two main factors are involved. \u201cOne hundred years ago, when stomach cancer was the top cause of cancer death in America, very few people had refrigerators. Instead, they often smoked or salted their food to preserve it from spoiling. The salting and smoking processes are known risk factors for developing cancer. And while the era before refrigerators may seem like ancient history, a diet heavy in salted meat and fish and pickled vegetables remains a risk factor for stomach cancer. Regularly eating processed, grilled, or charcoaled meat also may increase the risk of certain types of gastric cancer.\u201dDr. Bannen, a board-certified medical oncologist who practices at RCCA\u2019s Clarksburg, Olney, and Rockville, MD offices, adds that infection with Helicobacter pylori, also referred to as H. pylori, also appears to be a major risk factor for stomach cancer. As physicians identify more and more H. pylori infections and treat them with antibiotics and another type of medication called a proton pump inhibitor, the risk of stomach cancer is reduced accordingly. Dr. Bannen adds, however, that most people who have H. pylori bacteria in their gastrointestinal tract will not develop stomach cancer.\u00a0Better treatments, fewer deathsThe National Cancer Institute reports that age-adjusted death rates for gastric cancers fell an average 2.1% each year from 2011 through 2020.2Chitra Kumar, MD, says that the declining death rate is largely attributable to advances that enable physicians to take a comprehensive, multi-modal approach to care. \u201cToday, medical oncologists, surgeons, and radiation oncologists collaborate closely to identify which treatment or combination of treatments is best suited for a particular patient. In many cases, this will entail a sequence of interventions, such as surgery followed by medical therapy, radiation, or both.\u201dDr. Kumar, a board-certified medical oncologist who practices at the Edison, NJ office of RCCA, adds that the options for medical management of stomach cancer include not only chemotherapy but also immunotherapies that harness the immune system\u2019s ability to fight disease and targeted therapies, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors. She explains that these targeted therapies act specifically against cancer cells or molecules that support the functioning of cancer cells while not affecting healthy cells.\u201cWe have a greater ability than ever before to treat gastric cancer effectively, and research now under way suggests that even further advances are on the near horizon,\u201d the cancer specialist says.What you should know \u2013 and doUnderstanding the risk factors for a disease and then addressing those that can be modified are critical steps in guarding your health. In addition to H. pylori infection and the dietary patterns discussed above, risk factors for gastric cancer include:3Male sex \u2013 Men are about 1.5 times more likely than women to develop stomach cancer, with a lifetime risk of 1 in 101 versus about 1 in 155 for women.Advancing age \u2013 About 60% of people diagnosed with stomach cancer are age 65 years or older.Obesity \u2013 Excess weight has been identified as a risk factor for many types of cancer, including stomach cancer.Alcohol use \u2013 Evidence suggests that consuming more than three drinks a day increases risk,Tobacco use \u2013 People who smoke have a rate of stomach cancer that is double the rate of non-smokers.Hereditary conditions \u2013 Lynch syndrome and other genetic conditions can increase the likelihood of developing stomach cancer.Joseph McLaughlin, MD, notes that while risk factors such as age and hereditary conditions cannot be modified, many others are within a person\u2019s power to change. \u201cNot using tobacco, cutting back on or eliminating alcohol consumption, and reducing weight all are steps that will reduce the risk not just for stomach cancer but also for more common forms of the disease, such as lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and liver cancer,\u201d says Dr. McLaughlin, a board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist who practices at RCCA\u2019s Manchester, CT office.The cancer specialist adds, \u201cReducing cancer risk isn\u2019t just about what you lose or give up. It\u2019s also about what you embrace. For example, there is evidence that a diet high in fruits and raw vegetables can reduce the risk for gastric cancer. This sort of plant-based diet also has been shown to be beneficial in preventing other forms of cancer as well as cardiovascular disease.\u201dDr. McLaughlin says, \u201cWhile prevention is key, and can lead to further reductions in stomach cancer diagnoses and deaths, we want people who are facing gastric cancer or other cancers to know that RCCA\u2019s physicians, nurses, and other clinicians are committed to providing them with the latest evidence-based therapies and comprehensive, compassionate care in the community setting. We hope you will never need our services, but if you do, we\u2019re here for you.\u201d+++++++Drs. Berk, Bannen, Kumar, and McLaughlin are among 90+ cancer specialists who treat patients at more than 20\u00a0RCCA care centers throughout New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the Washington, D.C., area. RCCA oncologists and hematologists see more than 26,000 new patients each year and provide care to more than 245,000 established patients, collaborating closely with their patients\u2019 other physicians. They offer patients the latest in cutting-edge treatments, including\u00a0immunotherapies\u00a0and\u00a0targeted therapy, as well as access to a wide range of\u00a0clinical trials. In addition to serving patients who have solid tumors, blood-based cancers, and benign blood disorders such as anemia, RCCA care centers also provide\u00a0infusion services to people with a number of non-oncologic conditions\u2014including\u00a0multiple sclerosis,\u00a0Crohn\u2019s disease,\u00a0asthma, iron-deficiency anemia, and\u00a0rheumatoid arthritis\u2014who take intravenously-administered medications.To learn more about RCCA, call 1-844-346-7222 or visit RCCA.com.References:American Cancer Society. About Stomach Cancer. January 22, 2021. Available at https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types\/stomach-cancer\/about.html. Accessed February 9, 2024.American Cancer Society. Stomach Cancer Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention. January 22, 2021. Available at https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types\/stomach-cancer\/causes-risks-prevention.html. Accessed February 9, 2024.National Cancer Institute. Cancer Stat Facts: Stomach Cancer. Available at https:\/\/seer.cancer.gov\/statfacts\/html\/stomach.html. Accessed February 9, 2024.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twe are here for you\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFor more information or to schedule an appointment, call 844-346-7222. You can also schedule an appointment by calling the\u00a0RCCA location\u00a0nearest you.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\trequest an appointment\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRELATED ARTICLES\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCutting Your Cancer Risk: RCCA Oncologists Discuss 4 Lesser-Known Steps\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYou don\u2019t smoke. You drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. You avoid processed meats and you dab on the sunscreen before you hit the\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat to Expect During a Lung Bronchoscopy\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBronchoscopy is an invaluable tool that allows physicians to examine the inside of the lungs without surgery, enabling them to detect and diagnose lung cancer.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetting Your First Mammogram on Schedule Really Matters: 2 RCCA Oncologists Explain Why\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThere are many reasons women don\u2019t obtain their first mammogram at the recommended age: work commitments and other demands on their time, uncertainty regarding when\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRegional Cancer Care Associates is one of fewer than 200 medical practices in the country selected to participate in the Oncology Care Model (OCM); a recent Medicare initiative aimed at improving care coordination and access to and quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries undergoing chemotherapy treatment.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Toby Keith and Stomach Cancer: RCCA Oncologists Discuss the Continued Impact of an Increasingly Uncommon Disease","item":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/toby-keith-and-stomach-cancer\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]