Inside Toby Keith's Health Battle and Stomach Cancer Treatment
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Toby Keith is a staple of country canon, and he's been sorely missed since stepping back from the spotlight in 2021 amid a battle with stomach cancer.
He revealed in June 2022 that he'd been diagnosed with the disease the previous fall and spent six months undergoing treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.
Find out the latest updates on Toby Keith's health and when you can expect to see him on the road again.
Related: Toby Keith Speaks Out on Cancer Fight
What is Toby Keith's health condition?
Keith celebrated his 62nd birthday in July 2023 and appeared to be doing well. He also performed several times during summer 2023, his first time taking the stage since his gastric cancer diagnosis in 2021.
Related: Toby Keith Shares Health Update on Cancer Battle
Does Toby Keith have cancer?
Keith was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2021.
Related: Toby Keith Makes Rare Appearance at Charity Event
Is gastric cancer curable?
Stomach cancer is curable if it's detected in its earliest stages, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Later stages of stomach cancer typically cannot be cured, but can be treated. It's unclear what stage Keith's cancer was in when he was diagnosed.
Why did Toby Keith quit?
Keith stepped away from touring and performing in late 2021 while he was being treated for stomach cancer.
In December 2022, he said the condition was "pretty debilitating," explaining, "I need a little bit of time to just rest up and heal up."
In summer 2023, he returned to the stage for the first time.
Related: The Early Cancer Sign Most People Miss
What is the news about Toby Keith's illness?
Keith's most recent health update came at the People's Choice Country Awards on Sept. 28.
"I feel pretty good," Keith told E! News. "It's a little bit of a roller coaster. You get good days and, you know, you're up and down, up and down. It's always zero to 60 and 60 to zero but I feel good today."
The singer, who was preparing to receive the Country Icon Award at the inaugural show, added, "It's nice to recognize my 30-year career. It's pretty mind-boggling."
Previously, in June 2023, Keith told The Oklahoman, "I'm feeling pretty good. Basically, everything is in a real positive trend... [but] you never know with cancer, so you have to prepare."
He added that he was hoping to perform shows in fall 2023 if he was able.
"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," he said at the time, adding, "All I gotta do is see if I can get through two or three nights of work and get a little break in this chemo, and we'll go back to work. I'm ready. That's living."
