It’s the kind of news no one expects—especially when you’ve spent years living a fit, active life. But for Father Chad Dunbar, a 45-year-old from Utah, a lung cancer diagnosis came as a complete shock in 2022.
Why? Because Chad wasn’t just active—he was a mountain biking machine. He led the largest youth cycling team in the United States for six years, and just a week before his diagnosis, he had racked up over 3,000 miles of mountain biking in a single season.
“I thought my lungs were the healthiest part of me,” Chad recalled in a video shared by RETpositive—a charity dedicated to supporting people with RET gene-related cancers. “When the nurse said, ‘We think you have lung cancer,’ I was in disbelief. I kept asking—how? why me?”
Chad Dunbar was surprised when he got his diagnosis due to his healthy lifestyle (LinkedIn/Chad Dunbar)
A Subtle and Surprising Symptom
You might expect lung cancer to start with a cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain. But for Chad, the first sign was far less obvious: pain and swelling in his calf.
At first, he thought it was a cycling injury—just a muscle he’d overworked. But scans revealed something much more serious. By the time doctors diagnosed him, the cancer had already spread to his brain, liver, bones, and lymph nodes near his heart.
The Cause: A Rare RET Mutation
According to the UK’s National Health Service, smoking causes about 70% of lung cancer cases. But Chad had never smoked. His cancer was driven by a RET mutation—a rare genetic change that causes cells to grow uncontrollably.
Chad is optimistic about his future, despite the diagnosis (YouTube/RETpositive)
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Lung cancer linked to a RET mutation can spread to the bones, sometimes leading to pain, weakness, or even fractures in the legs. That explained Chad’s swollen calf.
A Fighting Spirit Against the Odds
In March 2024, doctors gave Chad just a 5% chance of living more than five years. His response? Pure determination.
“Five percent? I’ll take those odds,” he said with a smile.
Despite the bleak prognosis, Chad has chosen optimism over despair, continuing to share his journey to raise awareness that lung cancer can happen to anyone—even healthy non-smokers.
What You Should Know
Common lung cancer symptoms can include:
- Persistent cough
- Coughing up blood
- Shortness of breath
- Unexplained tiredness or weight loss
- Pain in bones or swelling in legs
If you notice any unusual symptoms, don’t ignore them—get checked by a healthcare professional.
For more information or support, visit the American Cancer Society or call 1-800-227-2345.
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