A former Ironman triathlete was stunned to learn that his vision problems were actually the first sign of stage 4 lung cancer.

Dave Nitsche, 57, was initially given just 12 to 24 months to live – but a newly approved drug has helped him surpass that timeframe by several years.

“In 2019, I noticed that I was having trouble seeing with my left eye,” the Canadian man shared during an interview with Fox News Digital. “I went to the optometrist, and they said it was probably a detached retina.”

DOCTOR AND CANCER SURVIVOR GEARS UP TO RUN 7 MARATHONS ON 7 CONTINENTS IN 7 DAYS

After scans revealed fluid buildup and rising pressure, doctors determined that Nitsche had lost vision in the eye — and ultimately removed it. A biopsy of the fluid revealed that it was cancerous.

Next, Nitsche saw more specialists, who extracted fluid from his lungs for more testing. “The next day, the oncologist told me that I had stage 4 lung cancer,” he said. 

Dave Nitsche, pictured in Calgary, Alberta in 2025, was stunned to learn that his vision problems were actually the first sign of stage 4 lung cancer. (Dave Nitsche)

Nitsche said his doctors were “very shocked” to find that his initial eye issues had stemmed from lung cancer – particularly because he had never been a smoker.

Azam J. Farooqui, M.D., a hematology and oncology physician at Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers in Chandler, Arizona, agreed that Nitsche’s case was “very surprising.”

LUNG CANCER RISING AMONG NON-SMOKERS — HERE’S WHY

“Cancer can find its way to some very odd locations, but the eye is a very, very rare one,” Farooqui, who did not treat Nitsche, told Fox News Digital. “Usually cancer will get there via a nerve channel or blood vessel, but it’s very uncommon.”

Nitsche, an ex-triathlete who has done multiple Ironman races, hadn’t experienced any other symptoms other than the eye issues. “I was running quite a bit at the time,” he shared. “I had a little bit of back pain here and there, but lung cancer definitely wasn’t on my radar.”

Nitsche, an ex-triathlete who has done multiple Ironman races, hadn’t experienced any other symptoms other than the eye issues. “I had a little bit of back pain here and there, but lung cancer definitely wasn’t on my radar.” (Dave Nitsche)

His first treatment was a targeted therapy called afatinib, which lasted about three months. When doctors found that the cancer had spread to Nitsche’s brain, he began taking another medication called Tagrisso (osimertinib), which crosses the blood-brain barrier.

HIDDEN FACTOR IN CANCER TREATMENT TIMING MAY AFFECT SURVIVAL, RESEARCHERS SAY

After six years, when those drugs stopped working, Nitsche started taking Rybrevant (amivantamab), a chemo-free drug that he receives via IV infusion every three weeks in a supervised medical setting. After a year on the drug, which is developed by Johnson & Johnson, his scans are looking “very, very good,” he said.

“There are days that you feel strong and there are days that you’re a little weaker, but you just adjust accordingly.”

“Science is catching up to me perfectly with all these drugs that I’m on,” Nitsche said. “Now, we’ll just wait for the next thing to come along, and we’ll jump onto that. But for now, the Rybrevant is working perfectly.”

Nitsche has experienced a few side effects, but said for the most part, the drug he is taking is “very tolerable.” (Dave Nitsche)

Nitsche has experienced a few side effects, primarily skin irritation and fingernail infections, but said for the most part, the drug is “very tolerable.”

Compared to the full-dose chemo and other lung cancer treatments, Farooqui agreed that Rybrevant is “very manageable.”

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Other common side effects can include infusion reactions, muscle and joint pain, mouth sores, swelling, fatigue, nausea, bowel changes, vomiting, cough, shortness of breath and low appetite, according to FDA prescribing information.

In rare cases, serious effects can include lung inflammation, blood clots, severe skin reactions and eye problems. Pregnant women should not take the drug due to fetal risks.

Embracing his role as an advocate, Nitsche now speaks openly about his experience and what others should know. (Dave Nitsche)

“If somebody is having too many side effects, or if it is feeling too aggressive, we can do dose reductions,” Farooqui noted. “In my experience, we’ve had patients do really well on it, and we’ve been able to manage their side effects without any major concerns.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Rybrevant has now been approved to treat certain types of non-small cell lung cancer in the U.S. and Canada, and Nitsche said a few of his friends are also taking the drug.

“Doctors gave me a year to two years – they told me to get my affairs in order. And it’s been seven years now,” he said. “I’ll take it.”

“For almost any type of cancer, a diagnosis is not a death sentence.”

Nitsche is now preparing for a 600-mile biking expedition in June to raise awareness for lung cancer. He credits his endurance training and high fitness level with helping to extend his survival. 

“There are days that you feel strong and there are days that you’re a little weaker, but you just adjust accordingly,” he said.

Rybrevant has now been approved to treat certain types of non-small cell lung cancer in the U.S. and Canada. (iStock)

Embracing his role as an advocate, Nitsche now speaks openly about his experience and what others should know.

“If you have lungs, you can get lung cancer – but at this point, for almost any type of cancer, a diagnosis is not a death sentence,” he said. “They’re doing so much research on it, especially with lung cancer… I’ve known people who have lasted 12 to 18 years, so for me, seven years is great. So I’ll just keep going.”

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Farooqui echoed the importance of patients “advocating for themselves and getting the most up-to-date therapy there is.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass sparked outrage after accusing Palisades Fire victim Spencer Pratt of “exploiting the grief” of wildfire victims in his campaign to unseat her.

Bass, who has been losing ground to Pratt in the lead-up to the mayoral election, made the extraordinary claim during an interview with MeidasTouch.

“Well, honestly, before this, I had never heard of Spencer Pratt,” she said of the former reality TV star.

“But the thing I am concerned about is that I feel like he’s exploiting the grief of people in the Palisades. And I think that’s reprehensible. He is about his own celebrity.”

Critics immediately seized on the mayor’s comments, calling her out for attacking a wildfire victim.

“Exploiting grief? HE LOST EVERYTHING ALONG WITH FAMILY,” one commenter wrote on X.

“The fire burned 36,000 acres in Los Angeles County, destroyed or damaged more than 10,000 buildings, displaced tens of thousands of residents and claimed at least 10 lives. But she’s bent out of shape about Pratt drawing attention to it because they ran out of water,” another added.

“My whole f—ing neighborhood burned down. There was a fire hydrant across the street from our house. Exploit away, Spencer. This fool has no business in government,” a third said.

Even Trump administration official Richard Grenell chimed in.

“Career politician is offended that someone new is running. She’s incredibly condescending. She thinks she is owed reelection,” he wrote on X.

Others thought Bass should not concern herself with Pratt when she was overseeing during the disaster.

“Just the opposite, it’s because you handled our fires so miserably that Pratt came forward to right your wrongs,” one X user commented.

“Girl you were in Ghana during the Palisades fire go back to bed,” another added.

“What’s hilarious is that when she insults or gaslights him, she’s basically doing the same to every victim of the Palisades fires,” a third wrote. “And her claim that she had no idea who he was is wild…he was one of the most outspoken victims. It just makes her seem out of touch and indifferent.”

Pratt responded to Bass’ putdowns on Saturday morning, saying he would better serve LA as mayor.

“Karen always likes to talk about HER experience and never YOUR experience in her city…stepping over homeless drug addicts having your, business tagged up every night, no street lights,” he wrote on X.

“If she is so experienced with governance, why is she so bad at governance? What does that say about all of her illustrious experience? I actually care more about YOUR daily experience in LA. I have all the experience that I need. I have experienced the consequences of Karen Bass’ failed leadership. All of us have. She needs to step aside.”

Bass has been widely criticized for her response to January 2025 wildfires, which caused billions in damage and killed several people. Pratt lost his home in the fire and lives in Airstream trailer on the burned-out lot — something he highlighted in a recent viral campaign ad.

“This is where Mayor Bass lives. You notice something?” Pratt says in the 30-second clip, gesturing towards the Getty House, Bass’ bucolic Tudor-style residence in Windsor Square, which is mayor’s official residence.

“They let my home burn down. I know the consequences of failed leadership,” he added, promising to usher in a new “Golden Age” in LA.

In February, Bass brought a group of Palisades survivors to Sacramento for a meeting with legislators, later giving herself credit for bringing “the right people to the table to get results.”

“We’re going to stay united with Palisades until everybody is back home,” she said.

The California Post contacted Bass’ office for comment.

You don’t have permission to access “http://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/viral-on-tamil-nadu-election-result-day-trisha-celebrates-43rd-birthday-with-tirupati-temple-visit-11444920” on this server.

Reference #18.4f691702.1777872121.67cfc114

https://errors.edgesuite.net/18.4f691702.1777872121.67cfc114