A 29-year-old bassist has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and is now urging other young people to be aware of the warning signs.
Jordan Brunoli, who plays bass for the Brisbane-based band Bugs, received a diagnosis of “incurable” stage 4 cancer. The disease has spread to his liver and lymph nodes, and he required the placement of a stoma. According to his GoFundMe page, Brunoli recently began his second round of chemotherapy. While he’s slowly resuming some normal activities, he emphasizes the importance of young people monitoring their health and speaking up if something feels off.
Colorectal cancer, also known as colon cancer, affects the large intestine and is typically seen in people over 50, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, it can develop at any age. Common signs include changes in bowel habits, bloody stool, persistent abdominal pain, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.
In the initial post on Brunoli’s GoFundMe, his Bugs bandmates described the diagnosis as both “devastating” and “completely out of the blue.”
“He has been incredibly strong through this process and is determined to fight,” they wrote, adding, “He is an incredible son, loving partner and lifelong friend to many.”
Brunoli posted an update on July 31, about a month after the fundraiser began. By that time, the GoFundMe had raised over $100,000, which he said has been vital for covering medications, supplies, and treatments.
The bassist shared that he’s been able to reclaim a sense of normalcy despite ongoing treatments, including driving again, visiting friends, and eating when he feels well enough. Music, which he described as his “therapeutic happy place,” has also returned to his routine.
“I am getting used to living with a stoma and the goofiness of having an asshole on my belly!” Brunoli wrote, noting that he can now do about 90% of what he did before his diagnosis.
He urged other young people to pay close attention to their health and advocate for themselves in medical settings.
“I thought I was too young, but there has been a recent increase in instances of colorectal cancer in people under 30s,” he wrote. “Getting a diagnosis now could be the difference in a stage 1 tumor or stage 4 metastatic.”
