As a non-smoker, non-drinker and fairly active person, cancer was not on Brandon Arbini’s radar.
So when the then 41-year-old went to the doctor with mild stomach pain, he was shocked to discover he had stage 4 colon cancer.
The California tech entrepreneur, who sold one of his startups for $30 million, told DailyMail.com that “there were no obvious warning signs” and that he had no history of cancer in his family.
“Even the presence of small amounts of blood in my stool did not raise any major concerns,” the father of three added.
However, when Mr. Arbini’s doctor scheduled a colonoscopy to investigate what the stomach pain might be, they were unable to complete the procedure because the tumor in his colon was so large.
Brandon Arbini of California, pictured with his wife and three children, discovered he had stage 4 liver cancer at age 41
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He says his biggest message to others is to seek medical help, even if the slightest thing feels uncomfortable.
“Cancer wasn’t on my radar, but I encourage you to put it on yours,” he urges.
‘The best way to stop cancer is to prevent it from developing in the first place.
“If you’re putting off seeing your doctor or don’t want to have a colonoscopy, please remember my story.
‘Trust your gut when something doesn’t feel right. Get your cancer screenings.
‘Encourage your family and friends to get screened too and do everything you can to lower their risk of cancer.
“I’m grateful that I look forward to celebrating more wedding anniversaries with my wife Jill, watching my children grow and enjoying more tomorrows with my family and friends.”
When Mr Abini went for his first screening, they discovered that the cancer had spread to his liver and lymph nodes.
After the discovery, he was admitted to City of Hope Orange County – one of the world’s leading cancer centers – where he underwent a ten-hour operation.
The California tech entrepreneur, who sold one of his startups for $30 million, said there were no obvious warning signs and he had no history of cancer in his family.
During the procedure, medics removed a foot-long section of his colon, more than 20 lymph nodes and 25 percent of his liver.
Mr Arbini then underwent twelve rounds of chemotherapy and amazingly achieved remission in just six months.
He says this part of his cancer story still brings him to his knees, as he feared the worst after his shock diagnosis.
Now, three years later, 44-year-old Arbini is eager to share his story to raise awareness and “inspire others to take care of themselves and each other.”
Dr Pashtoon Kasi, medical director of gastrointestinal medical oncology at City of Hope Orange County, told DailyMail.com that stories like Mr. Arbini’s are unfortunately on the rise.
He says exposure to toxins and diet and lifestyle habits can create conditions that influence the development of cancer at an earlier stage.
Meanwhile, there have been some studies examining antibiotic exposure during childhood and the later development of colorectal cancer.
In an effort to curb rising cancer rates among young people, Dr. Kasi says “education is critical.”
He concludes: ‘Younger adults need to understand the symptoms and prioritize screening, which can detect cancer at its earliest, most treatable stages.
“Community physicians should also stay aware of these trends and proactively order necessary tests or investigations if symptoms persist.
‘Lifestyle changes are just as important. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, reducing alcohol consumption, not smoking, and avoiding ultra-processed foods are all tangible essential steps until we gain a better understanding of what else contributes.
Furthermore, continued investments in cancer research are crucial. Groundbreaking diagnostics and treatments emerge from leading cancer institutions such as City of Hope.
The US has the sixth highest rate of early-onset cancer (87 cases per 100,000 people) and colon cancer is among the fastest rising
‘These include simplified blood tests called liquid biopsies for cancer screening, immunotherapies for lung, colon and breast cancer, and innovative research such as linking the microbiome to cancer prevention.
‘By addressing all these preventive and treatment factors, it is possible that the trend in cancer in young adults can be slowed.’
The US has the sixth highest rate of early-onset cancer (87 cases per 100,000 people) and colon cancer is among the fastest rising.
The number of diagnoses among people under 50, who are classified as early-onset, is expected to increase by 90 percent between 2010 and 2030 in people aged 20 to 34.
The five-year survival rate for colon cancer is 64 percent, but that drops to 14 percent if the cancer has spread, which is common in early-onset cases because symptoms are often not present or misdiagnosed until the cancer spreads through the body. body has spread. .
Symptoms include changes in toilet habits, blood in the stool, weakness, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, a lump in the abdomen or rectum, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, constipation and vomiting.