Toby Keith Gives Cancer Battle Update During Red Carpet Appearance
Toby Keith gave an optimistic health update two years into battling stomach cancer.
At the first-ever People's Choice Country Awards on Sept. 28 in Nashville, Tenn., Keith revealed that he's been feeling "pretty good" amid his health struggles. "It's a little bit of a roller coaster," he told E! News. "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 62-year-old, who will receive the Country Icon Award at the ceremony, also divulged his reaction to the honor. "It's nice to recognize my 30-year career," he said. "It's pretty mind-boggling." He's also slated to perform his song from The Mule, "Don't Let the Old Man In."
When asked what he's most proud of in terms of his decades-spanning work, he shared it's his songwriting. "Those years of pounding those songs out there and remembering where you were when each one was conceived and all that, it's amazing."
The country crooner was accompanied on the red carpet by his wife Tricia Lucus. The pair matched, with Keith donning a white cowboy hat and crisp, white shirt paired with a black suit, while Lucus opted for a lace ivory power suit. Keith appeared to be in good spirits, playfully putting on sunglasses for the camera while smiling wide.
Keith was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2021, but didn't share the news until June 2022. At the time, he shared a statement on social media, explaining, "I've spent the last 6 months receiving chemo, radiation and surgery. So far, so good. I need time to breathe, recover and relax."
This past July, he told The Oklahoman that he's "about another eight weeks" from his last scan and his tumor has shrunk significantly. "Basically, everything is in a real positive trend. You never know with cancer, so you have to prepare," he said at the time.
Next: Inside Toby Keith's Health Battle and Stomach Cancer Treatment
