Kevin Keegan has died aged 75 after a brief battle with cancer, with the illness reportedly uncovered only after the former football star was involved in a car crash.
The Liverpool and Newcastle United icon had first made public in January that he had been diagnosed with stomach cancer. The disease affects around 6,800 people in Britain each year and is linked to nearly 4,000 deaths annually.
Stomach cancer can be difficult to spot in its early stages, but common warning signs include ongoing heartburn or acid reflux, trouble swallowing, nausea, indigestion and feeling unusually full after eating only a small meal.
When doctors suspect stomach cancer, patients are usually sent for an upper endoscopy, also called a gastroscopy. During the procedure, a thin tube with a camera is guided down the throat and into the stomach so specialists can look for abnormalities.
For Keegan, the diagnosis came after he underwent medical checks for stomach-related problems following a road accident.
Some medical experts have suggested that people involved in car crashes may be more likely to receive a cancer diagnosis than those who have not been in an accident.
The reasons behind that possible link are not straightforward, and researchers have pointed to several potential explanations.
One theory is that frequent drivers may share lifestyle factors associated with a greater cancer risk, including long periods of sitting and a higher likelihood of being overweight.
Kevin Keegan’s tragic death came after a short battle with stomach cancer
Drivers may also have greater exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun during long periods behind the wheel, which can be linked to certain types of cancer.
However, many experts believe the more likely explanation is that people injured in crashes are subjected to extensive medical investigations, increasing the chances of an existing cancer being detected.
People involved in serious collisions often undergo detailed examinations, such as CT or MRI scans, which check for internal injuries.
When revealing his initial diagnosis, Keegan’s family said he had been admitted to hospital for ‘further evaluation of ongoing abdominal symptoms’.
It is during scans that previously undetected problems such as tumours can show up, like in Keegan’s case.
Speaking earlier this year, the former England manager said: ‘I was in a car accident and, through that, I had to have an operation.
‘Whilst having the scan for the operation, they found out I had cancer.’
In other words, people involved in car crashes – or any accident involving injuries – are not necessarily more likely to develop cancer, but they may be more likely to have an existing cancer diagnosed.
Stomach cancer is often slow-growing and can take years to develop, but Keegan revealed that his disease had progressed to stage four in June, meaning it had spread to other parts of the body.
Stage four stomach cancer is the most advanced stage of the disease and is more difficult to treat.
Keegan revealed the stomach cancer had progressed to stage four in June
Keegan played for England before managing them in a glittering football career
At the time, Keegan, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner, said he was assured he would be seen by ‘a top doctor with this new way of fighting what you have got, which is stage-four cancer’.
He added: ‘He was a Liverpool supporter so I went to meet him. I knew I wouldn’t be walking alone, if you know what I mean.’
Sadly, Keegan’s stage four diagnosis gave him a bleak prognosis as just 20 per cent of patients at this stage live longer than a year.
His death was announced by family yesterday, who said: ‘It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75.
‘The former England player and manager had been battling cancer and was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments.
‘Kevin was a much loved husband, father and grandfather. The family would like to thank Kevin’s incredible medical team for all their support.
‘This is a hugely difficult time and they are requesting space and privacy.’
According to previous studies, stomach cancer is often caused by a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, which is responsible for around 40 per cent of cases in the UK.
The bug spreads through contaminated food and water, and can often trigger uncomfortable symptoms like indigestion and stomach ulcers. However, many experience no symptoms.
In some cases, Helicobacter pylori remains in the stomach for months while for others, it can stay there for years or even decades.
Other causes of stomach cancer include smoking, heavy alcohol consumption and poor diet.
The disease is twice as common in men as it is in women, according to research.
