UTICA-ROME -- Longtime Mohawk Valley broadcaster Bill Keeler recently revealed to listeners of his WIBX 950 morning show that he's fighting cancer -- for a second time. While the type of cancer he has isn't curable, he says it's treatable and the survival rate is much higher than it was just 20 years ago.
Keeler detailed things in a blog post on the WIBX website. Back in 2018, colon cancer was caught early enough by doctors that it was surgically removed. "I had beaten the disease," Keeler wrote, without the need for radiation or chemotherapy.
But this time around, "not only did the doctors use the 'C' word, they also used the dreaded 'L' word - Cancer and Leukemia. Specifically, Keeler says he's been diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). Doctors discovered it after routine bloodwork showed an "abnormally high" white cell count.
Keeler said the original diagnosis sent him down a scary "Dr. Google" rabbithole, but doctors confirmed that CML is much more manageable today than in the past. Prior to 2001, the survival rate was below 35%. Since then, drugs to manage the leukemia have been developed and Keeler says a once-a-day pill offers a nearly 100% survival rate.
But Keeler adds, had his CML gone undetected for even just 2-3 years, it can evolve into more serious forms which are "much more difficult to treat successfully." He said he hopes the fact that he's been getting tested regularly will inspire others in the community to do the same, especially "men, who tend to be a bit on the stubborn side" about not visiting doctors as often as they should.
Bill Keeler hosts "Keeler in the Morning" weekdays from 6-9am on Townsquare Media news/talker WIBX 950 and 92.3 FM. If you're an early riser, the station airs "The Best of Keeler in the Morning" at 5am, seven days a week.
Keeler headshot photo: credit Nancy L. Ford Photography via wibx950.com
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