Jordan Brunoli, a 29-year-old bass player for the Brisbane band Bugs, shared his heartbreaking story of being diagnosed with colorectal cancer after multiple visits to doctors who initially sent him away. His cancer had already spread to his liver and lymph nodes by the time he was finally sent for a scan.
The diagnosis came as a shock to Jordan and his family. His band revealed earlier this year that despite months of pain and symptoms, Jordan was repeatedly turned away from emergency rooms and general practitioners before the cancer was detected.
On a GoFundMe page created to help with medical expenses, Jordan described his situation, saying that physically, he still functions well, though he faces risks like hernias. He stressed the importance of recognizing symptoms such as blood in stool, unusual abdominal pain, weight loss, and fatigue, urging people not to hesitate to ask doctors for an ultrasound.
Jordan mentioned that colorectal cancer rates are rising among people under 30 and getting an early diagnosis can mean the difference between early-stage and advanced cancer.
His GoFundMe reached over AUD 100,000 in support, and Jordan recently thanked donors, updating that he has a CT scan scheduled to see if chemotherapy is working.
The American Cancer Society estimates there were over 106,000 new cases of colon cancer in 2024. Symptoms to watch for include changes in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, abdominal discomfort, incomplete bowel movements, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.
Anyone experiencing these symptoms is encouraged to seek medical advice promptly and can contact support services like the American Cancer Society for help.
