Chad Dunbar, a 45-year-old father from Utah who never smoked, was shocked to learn he had terminal lung cancer after experiencing a subtle symptom: pain and swelling in his calf. A serious cyclist who had just completed over 3,000 miles of mountain riding in 2023, he initially thought the discomfort was muscle strain. However, medical tests revealed a much graver condition. Despite being in excellent health and fit as an athlete, Chad was diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer with a rare RET gene mutation that causes aggressive tumor growth typically found in non-smokers.
His cancer had already spread to his brain, liver, bones, and lymph nodes by the time it was detected. After starting a combination of targeted therapy specific for RET mutations and chemotherapy, Chad initially saw improvements and felt hopeful. Sadly, by early 2024, new mutations made treatment more difficult. Given only a 5% chance to survive five years, Chad chose to fight and cherish every moment he has with his family.
Chad’s story highlights that lung cancer can affect even healthy non-smokers and that symptoms may be very subtle—like unexplained swelling or pain in the limbs. It also sheds light on the importance of understanding genetic factors behind lung cancer. Early detection remains a challenge, especially when typical risk factors like smoking are absent. His courage inspires awareness about these silent warning signs and the need for ongoing research and personalized treatment.
