He said he decided to take the job with PhRMA because of his recent bout with intestinal cancer.

NPR: Drug Companies Launch Public Relations Initiative

He is reported to have suffered from intestinal cancer.

NPR: Master Cellist, Conductor Rostropovich Dies at 80

In people who have either oesophageal or stomach cancer, a step in developing that cancer can be a condition called intestinal metaplasia.

BBC: 'Cancer sign' identified