Utah resident Chad Dunbar, 45, was the picture of health. As a cycling coach and leader, he had spent years riding thousands of miles and believed his lungs were in perfect condition. In 2022, Chad was shocked when doctors told him he had lung cancer, despite never having smoked.
Chad shared his story with RETpositive, a cancer charity, explaining how hard it was to accept the diagnosis. He had just completed a major cycling milestone and felt strong, so the news came as a complete surprise. He described feeling angry and confused, wondering how this could happen to someone so healthy.
By 2024, Chad’s cancer had spread to his brain, liver, bones, and lymph nodes. The only symptom he had was pain and swelling in his calf, which he thought was a minor injury from cycling. Instead, it was a sign of advanced cancer.
Most lung cancer cases are linked to smoking, but Chad’s cancer was caused by a RET gene mutation. This rare genetic change made his cells grow out of control, leading to cancer that spread to his bones and caused leg pain.
Even after doctors gave him just a five percent chance of surviving more than five years, Chad chose to stay positive. He accepted the odds and decided to keep fighting, hoping to inspire others with his story.
