Man, 40, Diagnosed With Colon Cancer After Ignoring Warning Signs

A father from Las Vegas has shared his story about how he overlooked what he thought were minor symptoms for many years, never expecting they would lead to a life-altering diagnosis.

Kenny Berbick, who is 41, experienced various symptoms over several years but always dismissed them as “something minor.” He recalled that the issues started nearly a decade ago with blood in his stool, which he eventually did not think much of when it disappeared.

However, over the past two years, Berbick’s condition worsened, presenting an array of symptoms that he could no longer brush off.

“Years ago, I was told that the blood was probably due to hemorrhoids. Since the symptoms kept coming and going, I convinced myself it wasn’t anything serious,” he explained.

Berbick began to experience stomach pain that fluctuated in frequency, along with excessive sweating, alterations in his bowel movements, pencil-thin stools, loss of appetite, and significant weight loss. Throughout his thirties, he thought he was “too young” and healthy for such symptoms to indicate a serious issue.

‘Something Wasn’t Right’

Sadly, when the stomach pain turned constant, he could no longer avoid acknowledging something was wrong. What had previously been intermittent discomfort evolved into a daily struggle. By 2025, Berbick asked his doctor for a CT scan, feeling strongly that “something wasn’t right.”

That inquiry led him to the hospital for various tests, including a CT scan, bloodwork, and a colonoscopy.

After leaving the hospital and attempting to return to his routine, Berbick received a devastating call from his doctor while he was driving to pick up his daughter.

“I was asked to pull over before I was informed that I had colon cancer and needed to go to the emergency room immediately because the tumor was so large it could block my colon,” he recalled, describing the overwhelming terror that followed.

He tried to stay positive about his situation but soon learned his cancer was stage four and had spread to his liver, which initially provided a dismal prognosis. Despite the statistics, Berbick resolved to remain resilient and fight.

Colon cancer can manifest through changes in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, and uncharacteristic weight loss, among other symptoms. The Mayo Clinic indicates that many individuals might not exhibit symptoms initially, underscoring the importance of routine screenings.

The American Cancer Society predicts over 108,000 new colon cancer cases in the U.S. for 2026, making it the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths combined for both men and women, with an estimated 55,000 deaths this year.

‘I’m Grateful for Every Day’

After some initial holistic treatments showed the cancer was still growing, Berbick started undergoing chemotherapy. With three treatments completed, he faced the unfortunate reality that they were no longer effective. Now, he is participating in a clinical trial, hoping to defy the odds.

While some days are tougher than others, Berbick expresses gratitude for his life and family.

“Instead of fixating on numbers, I strive to make the most of each day and keep fighting. My faith, my family, and hope keep me going. I’m thankful for every day I wake up and cherish moments with my wife and kids,” he said.

He emphasized that he no longer takes each tomorrow for granted, expressing love to those around him whenever he can. Spending quality time with family has become a priority, and he doesn’t let trivial matters stress him out. He believes that if his experiences can help save even one life, then every challenging day has been worthwhile.

Being diagnosed with cancer at such a young age has profoundly altered Berbick’s outlook on life, leading him to encourage others not to overlook any unusual symptoms.

To share his journey with colon cancer, Berbick documents his experiences on social media, aiming to highlight the common symptoms and how he’s maintaining hope throughout this battle.

“Please don’t ignore your symptoms, and if you’re 45 or older, get screened for colon cancer,” he urged. “I want people to know that even with a stage four diagnosis, there is still hope, so don’t give up.”