Toby Keith Provides Health Update at People’s Choice Country Awards Following Cancer Diagnosis: ‘You Simply Need to Persevere’

Toby Keith, who received the prestigious Country Icon award at the inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards on Thursday night, September 28th, offered an update on his ongoing battle with stomach cancer, a diagnosis he received back in 2021.

Speaking with Extra on the red carpet, Keith shared, “I’ve walked through some challenging times, but I’ve always felt the presence of a higher power guiding me.” Despite the ups and downs, he expressed, “I’m feeling quite well overall. You have your good days and not-so-good ones. It’s a bit of a roller coaster ride, but I’m in a much better place compared to this time last year.”

The 60-year-old country star relies on the simplicity of his faith to stay resilient, stating, “My faith has always been my anchor. As long as I have that spiritual strength with me, I’m at peace. Sometimes, you just have to persevere; there’s no other choice.”

In June 2022, Keith publicly disclosed his stomach cancer diagnosis, sharing on social media, “Last fall, I received a stomach cancer diagnosis. Over the past six months, I’ve undergone chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Thankfully, things are progressing well. I now need some time to recover and regain my strength.”

Keith concluded his message with a note of optimism, saying, “I’m eagerly looking forward to spending quality time with my family. And rest assured, I’ll be reuniting with my fans sooner rather than later. I can hardly wait.”

At the People’s Choice Country Awards event, Keith performed his song “Don’t Let the Old Man In,” a track he penned for Clint Eastwood’s film, The Mule. Given his diagnosis, the lyrics took on a more poignant and heartfelt meaning as he sang, “I’ve known all my life that eventually, time would catch up with me. So, I rise each day with a determined spirit, refusing to be defined by age. Don’t let the old man in.”