America's ‘Best-Loved’ Actor, John Wayne, Died 41 Years Ago Of Stomach Cancer; His Impressive Legacy Continues

Before his passing, he became a passionate advocate, helping others battle the disease that claimed his life. In his honor, his family created the John Wayne Cancer Foundation with the mission to bring his style of strength and bravery (grit, you might say) to the fight, assisting others face their cancers head-on.

John Wayne's Cancer Journey

Wayne’s first bout with cancer started 15 years prior to his death. Surgeons removed his left lung after discovering a tumor there. They also removed two ribs. But by the end of the same year, he announced in a press conference that he had “licked the ‘Big C.'” And his prolific career continued.

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Then in January 1972, he went to UCLA Medical Center for what was supposed to be a gall bladder operation. During that surgery, which lasted more than nine hours, doctors also removed his stomach after they found a malignant tumor.

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Wayne died at the facility about six months later, after the cancer eventually metastasized (spread) throughout his body. His care team was not able to get him strong enough to undergo chemotherapy or experimental treatment, and he eventually succumbed. His seven kids surrounded his bedside as he passed.

John Wayne Cancer Foundation Carries Actor's Legacy

In memory of their father, Wayne's children founded the John Wayne Cancer Institute (formerly known as the John Wayne Cancer Clinic) in 1981. Eldest son Michael helmed the launch of the institute, with a mission to promote advanced cancer research and educate the next generation of cancer doctors.

Michael Wayne was the group's chairman of the board for almost two decades, holding the position until he passed in 2003. Patrick Wayne, his brother, now serves as chairman.

John Wayne, in his Oscar-winning performance in True Grit, 1969

The institute is located at Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. Its research has led to groundbreaking procedures and treatments. For instance, they led the trials that established sentinel lymph node biopsy (biopsy of the first node to which cancer cells are likely to spread from a tumor) as the standard of care for melanoma and breast care. And the institute spearheaded the use of immunotherapy as the treatment for melanoma.

The organization also funds a skin cancer awareness and prevention program for young people called Block the Blaze. The program provides education to junior lifeguards in 16 states around the country and has so far educated more than 400,000 young people about skin cancer prevention and screening overall.

Today, the thriving center continues its groundbreaking research thanks in part to recent major donations.

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About Stomach Cancer

In the beginning stages, stomach cancer (also known as gastric cancer) often does not cause many symptoms, making it hard to identify early. The most common symptom is mild pain that could be easily mistaken for indigestion. Possible other symptoms include loss of appetite, heartburn, indigestion, nausea and vomiting, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and bloating. But plenty of other health problems can cause these same symptoms, so testing is needed to determine the cause.

In most parts of the world, stomach cancers originate in the main part of the stomach, known as the stomach body. But in the U.S., it's more likely to affect the area where the esophagus meets the stomach. Diet and lifestyle variances around the world affect the prevalence and type of stomach cancer.

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Where the cancer occurs is one factor that contributes to treatment decisions. If diagnosed at an early stage, stomach cancer is quite treatable (with a five-year survival rate of around 68%), usually with surgery and chemotherapy. When diagnosed in later stages, however, it becomes much harder to treat and is usually considered incurable.

Risk factors for stomach cancer include family history, diet, smoking, and obesity.

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