Former Chicago White Sox closer and World Series champion Bobby Jenks is being treated for stomach cancer, the two-time All-Star told MLB.com.

 

From a hospital bed in Portugal, Jenks, 43, shared that he is being treated for stage 4 adenocarcinoma, the most common form of stomach cancer—in fact, it accounts for about 90% to 95% of all cases, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). This year, about 30,300 people in the United States will be diagnosed with stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer.

 

 

The father of six has been living with his wife and two younger children (5 and 11) in Sintra, Portugal, where they moved to be near his wife’s family and where he is now receiving radiation treatment.

 

When he arrived in Portugal last October, Jenks had a deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot) in his right calf, which led to multiple blood clots in his lungs. In January, he noticed his energy levels had significantly dropped.

 

After a series of tests and a CT scan, doctors located a tumor in the middle of Jenks’ chest that had spread throughout his stomach lining, into his bones, lower back and hips. The tumor “blew up” and bled into his stomach, causing severe digestive issues.

 

Jenks is currently undergoing a second round of 10 sessions of radiation to stop the bleeding and shrink the tumor before discussing next steps.

 

“It’s awful to think about,” Jenks told MLB. “It’s just been a whirlwind.”

 

Adenocarcinomas develop from the gland cells in the innermost lining of the stomach.

The number of new cases of stomach cancer has been decreasing by about 1.5% annually over the last 10 years, according to the ACS. Early detection and treatment of stomach cancer increases the likelihood of long-term survival.

 

Treatment for stomach cancer depends on how advanced the cancer is, including how many tumors are present, how large they are and whether they have spread to nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Most cases of stomach cancer are diagnosed at a more advanced stage and require more intensive treatment.

 

In addition to his health issues, Jenks and his family were victims of the recent Palisades fire, losing nearly all of their possessions, including personal baseball memorabilia.

 

His 2005 World Series ring is the only item he has left because he had it with him while managing the Windy City Thunderbolts, an independent professional baseball squad located in a suburb outside Chicago.

 

 

Although Jenks is not expected to be with Windy City at the start of the season, he aims to get healthy enough to manage a second season with the team later this year.

 

“I want them to know I’m doing well and send their prayers and go down to Windy City and root for those boys,” Jenks said. “At the end of the day I feel, just as a whole, everybody needs to be more mindful about what they put in their bodies. Be more careful and be conscious of where they are getting their information, as well.”

 

Jenks also hopes to attend the 20-year World Series reunion at Rate Field this July.

 

“Now it’s time to do what I got to do to get myself better and get myself more time, however you want to look at it,” Jenks said. “I’ll tell you one thing: I’m not going to die here in Portugal.”

 

To read more, click #Stomach Cancer or read Cancer Health’s Basics on Stomach Cancer. It reads in part:

 

What are the risk factors for stomach cancer?

A major risk factor for stomach cancer is Helicobacter pylori, bacteria that commonly cause stomach ulcers. Over time, infection can lead to inflammation and precancerous changes in the lining of the stomach.

 

Risk factors include diet, tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, obesity, family history, a history of stomach surgery or other stomach problems, having type A blood and possibly Epstein-Barr virus. Consumption of cured, smoked, processed or grilled meat and fish and pickled vegetables raises the risk of stomach cancer while a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables lowers the risk.

 

Rates of stomach cancer have decreased in North America since the 1930s, perhaps because refrigeration has lessened the need to preserve foods by salting or smoking. More recently, increased use of antibiotics that kill H. Pylori may have contributed to the decrease.