He Never Smoked, But Still Got Lung Cancer at 45. Here’s the One Symptom He Noticed

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00:00He never smoked, but still got lung cancer at 45. Here's the one symptom he noticed.

00:05At 45, avid cyclist Chad Dunbar, a lifelong non-smoker in peak shape,

00:11was stunned when doctors diagnosed him with stage 4 lung cancer, a reality he never imagined facing.

00:21Dunbar's only symptom was calf pain. He dismissed as a biking injury,

00:24but scans revealed his lung cancer had already spread to his brain, liver, bones, and lymph nodes

00:30near his heart. He began chemo and radiation, but gene testing revealed a RET mutation driving his

00:36cancer. This allowed doctors to use targeted therapy, attacking mutated cells while sparing

00:42healthy ones. A mutation in the RET gene is a genetic change that affects the RET protein,

00:51which regulates cell and nerve growth. When overactive, it triggers abnormal cell growth,

00:57leading to cancer. In Dunbar's case, it began in his lungs and spread throughout his body.

01:05In July 2023, after six weeks of therapy, Dunbar's scans showed his cancer shrinking.

01:12But by 2024, it had mutated in his brain and liver. Given just a 5% chance to live five years,

01:19he chose to embrace the odds with hope.

01:24Smoking causes about 70% of lung cancer cases in the U.S., but 10 to 20% occur in non-smokers,

01:30often due to genetic mutations, secondhand smoke, or pollutants. Symptoms may include cough,

01:36breathlessness, blood and sputum, or fatigue, though some cases show none. Always consult a doctor if

01:42concerned. Dunbar chooses to live each day fully with his wife and kids, staying positive despite

01:51the battle. His story is a reminder, even in peak health, don't ignore small warning signs,

01:56they could mean something bigger.