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Popular Social Media Influencer Sidney Raz Discloses Stomach Cancer Diagnosis
Sidney Raz, a prominent social media influencer and author recognized for “Life Hacks, Tips & Tricks,” has publicly announced his diagnosis of stomach cancer. This revelation follows the heartbreaking loss of his infant daughter, adding to a period of immense personal challenges for the content creator.
Background and Initial Diagnosis
Raz, whose legal name is Sidney Raskind and resides in Virginia, shared in a March 30 Instagram video that he and his wife, Kelsey, underwent genetic testing after the loss of their baby daughter in utero at 26 weeks in September.
“We lost the baby to holoprosencephaly,” Raz stated, referencing a rare congenital condition where “a baby’s brain does not properly divide into two hemispheres,” according to the Child Neurology Foundation.
He further explained, “It was discovered that she [his daughter] had a specific genetic deletion… Consequently, we proceeded with genetic testing for both Kelsey and myself. While Kelsey did not possess the deletion, I was found to carry it. This particular genetic deletion has been recently linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, notably stomach cancer. Following these findings, I scheduled an endoscopy, and today, I received confirmation of a stomach cancer diagnosis.”
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Lack of Prior Symptoms
In the days following his initial announcement, Raz continued to post his signature life hack videos. However, in an update shared on Instagram the following weekend, on Saturday, April 5, Raz disclosed that he had experienced no symptoms prior to the cancer diagnosis.
“This situation unfolded without any preceding indicators,” he clarified. “I was asymptomatic. It was literally my daughter’s DNA that potentially saved my life by prompting this discovery, offering a potential path forward for treatment.”
Genetic Testing Recommendation
Raz also provided advice for viewers considering genetic testing based on his experience. “Request that a genetic specialist conduct a comprehensive panel for CDH1 and investigate for CTNNA mutations,” Raz advised. “Currently, these two genetic markers are understood to be associated with this diffuse gastric cancer type. I hope this information proves helpful.”
Current Exploratory Phase and Possible Treatments
In a subsequent Instagram post the next day, Raz communicated that he was in the “exploratory phase,” as medical professionals worked to determine the precise stage of his cancer. He outlined that further blood tests and stomach examinations were planned to ascertain whether chemotherapy or stomach removal surgery would be necessary treatments.
This update regarding the exploratory phase was released shortly after Raz mentioned in a TikTok video that he would “likely” require stomach removal surgery around Friday, April 18. It remains unclear whether this surgical plan is still the anticipated course of action.