BUFFALO, N.Y. — The passing of Toby Keith a popular country singer and song-writer has prompted many fans, and people to think more about stomach cancer.
Along with this it has also sparked a conversation among Western New Yorkers, and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.
2 On Your Side's Keelin Berrian dove deeper into the topic speaking to professionals at Roswell Park about the terrible disease and how the community can be further educated on the subject.
"When we see a new patient with stomach cancer, it's usually in the upper part of the stomach, and we often find that the patient had a long history of acid reflux," says Dr. Sarbajit Mukherjee.
Mukherjee is a gastrointestinal medical oncologist with a research focus on novel clinical trials and cancer immunotherapy at Roswell park. His current work involves understanding the biology of gastrointestinal cancers and designing novel clinical trials to improve patient outcomes according to Roswell's website.
Dr. Mukherjee says that this type of cancer is normally diagnosed once a patient is already in the advanced stages. He also explains that many people often ignore symptoms such as acid reflux or spotty stool before going to their primary care doctor.
"There is no recommended screening test in the United States for Gastric cancer. So, patients can only be referred by their physicians to have the necessary testing," Mukherjee says.
According to Mukherjee, about 25,000 new stomach cancer cases are diagnosed a year and sadly 10,000 of those patients die.
Gastroesophageal also known as 'GERD' is one of the most common kinds of stomach cancer.
In an article written by John Hopkins Medicine they explain the disease as "Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common condition in which the stomach contents move up into the esophagus. Reflux becomes a disease when it causes frequent or severe symptoms or injury. Reflux may damage the esophagus, pharynx or respiratory tract."
Dr. Mukherjee also explains that gastroesophageal cancer is genetic, and people can schedule a genetic screening appointment with Roswell here.
Those curious can also check if they think their genetics may play a role by clicking here.
"This cancer can be invasive and spread to other organs." Mukherjee said.
Toby Keith's passing comes just two days after World Cancer Day which is recognized on February 4.
By 2050 more than 35 million new cancer cases are predicted by the World Health Organization.
"We fully don't understand why some of the cancers are on the rise, but one of the things that we believe is obesity" Mukherjee adds.
Many Western New Yorkers may face the diagnosis nobody wants hear but this local man was not going to let that define him.
Rick Aronberg a local swim coach who had been diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2020 has never been someone to let anything get in his way from living life to the fullest.
"I'm not a person who thinks negatively at any time." Aronberg shared.
He wasn't going to let his diagnosis change that.
"We had those difficult talks at the house, and we knew that the treatment was working. So we had to continue doing- what I thought was a lot of positive energy. I think that's what made me survive."
Looking back on the last 4 years since his battle Aronberg only had one thing on his mind.
"I want to live. I want to live for my grandsons, my puppy, my kids, but I want to be there for my wife."
Those looking to learn more or utilize resources at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center can visit www.roswellpark.org/cancer/stomach for more.