Being a non-smoker, non-drinker and quite active person, cancer was not on Brandon Arbini’s radar.
So when the 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 there were “no clear warning signs” and 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,” added the father of three.
However, when Mr. Arbini’s doctor scheduled a colonoscopy to investigate what his stomach pain could be, they were unable to complete the procedure because the tumor in his colon was too large.
Brandon Arbini from California, pictured with his wife and three children, discovered he had stage 4 liver cancer when he was just 41 years old.
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He says his most important message to others is to seek medical help, even if the slightest thing doesn’t feel right.
“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 happening in the first place.
‘If you’ve been putting off visiting your doctor or don’t want to get a colonoscopy, remember my story.
‘Trust your gut if something doesn’t seem right. Get your cancer screenings done.
‘Encourage your family and friends to also get screened and do everything they can to reduce their risk of cancer.
“I’m grateful to be able to celebrate more wedding anniversaries with my wife Jill, watch my children grow, and enjoy more tomorrows with my family and friends.”
When Abini went for her first test, they discovered that the cancer had spread to her liver and lymph nodes.
After the discovery, he was admitted to City of Hope Orange County, one of the most important cancer centers in the world, where he underwent surgery that lasted 10 hours.
The California tech entrepreneur, who sold one of his startups for $30 million, said there were no clear warning signs and he had no history of cancer in his family.
During the procedure, doctors removed a foot-long portion of his large intestine, more than 20 lymph nodes and 25 percent of his liver.
Mr. Arbini then underwent 12 rounds of chemotherapy and, amazingly, in just six months he achieved remission.
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, Arbini, 44, is willing to share his story to help raise awareness and “inspire others to take care of themselves and others.”
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 increasing.
It says exposure to toxins and dietary and lifestyle habits can create conditions that influence cancer development at an earlier stage.
Meanwhile, there have been some studies looking at antibiotic exposure in childhood and the later development of colorectal cancer.
In a bid to curb rising cancer rates among young people, Dr Kasi says “education is vital”.
And he concludes: “Younger adults need to understand the symptoms and prioritize screening tests, which help detect cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages.”
‘Community physicians should also stay informed about these trends and proactively request necessary tests or studies if symptoms persist.
‘Lifestyle changes are equally important. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, reducing alcohol consumption, not smoking, and avoiding ultra-processed foods are tangible essential steps until we better understand what else contributes.
Furthermore, it is essential to continue investing in cancer research. Innovative diagnostics and treatments are emerging from leading cancer institutions like City of Hope.
The United States has the sixth highest rate of early-onset cancers (87 cases per 100,000 people), and colon cancer is among the fastest growing.
‘These include simplified blood tests called liquid biopsies for cancer detection, immunotherapies for lung, colon and breast cancers, and groundbreaking studies such as linking the microbiome to cancer prevention.
“By addressing all of these preventive and treatment factors, it is possible to slow the trend of cancers in young adults.”
The United States has the sixth highest rate of early-onset cancers (87 cases per 100,000 people), and colon cancer is among the fastest growing.
Diagnoses among people under age 50, who are classified as early-onset, are expected to increase by 90 percent in people ages 20 to 34 between 2010 and 2030.
The five-year survival rate for colon cancer is 64 percent, but it drops to 14 percent if the cancer has spread, which commonly occurs in early-onset cases because symptoms are often not present. or are misdiagnosed until the cancer has spread throughout the body. .
Symptoms include changes in toileting habits, blood in the stool, weakness, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, a lump in the abdomen or rectum, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, constipation, and vomiting.
