PEORIA, Ill. – Country music star Toby Keith died this week following a several year battle with stomach cancer.
And while it’s possible to get stomach cancer here, it doesn’t happen all that much.
“It is very prevalent in some parts of the world, especially the Far East – Japan, Korea, China. And that’s got to do with a lot of factors,” said Dr. Patrick Fernandes, Radiation Oncologist, Carle Health Cancer Institute in Normal.
Fernandes says, however, there’s a catch – stomach cancer can present itself as something that’s more familiar.
“These tumors present too late because the patient doesn’t understand when they have a little bit of heartburn – maybe they overlook it; like most of us, they take some Tums. Maybe it goes away, maybe it doesn’t,” said Fernandes.
Like other cancers, Fernandes says early detection is key, so if you have an extended period of heartburn that just doesn’t go away, see your doctor.
But, whether it’s stomach cancer or any other cancer, there is a prevention technique.
“Twenty to twenty-five percent of cancers can be preventable, all by just choosing a healthy diet, a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, cutting down on…red meat,” said Fernandes. “Maintain a healthy weight, do physical therapy (work out) for at least 30 minutes, to prevent obesity.”
Lung cancer remains the number one cause of cancer deaths in the United States, according to federal data.
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