Cancer’s Silent Battle: John Ryan’s Journey from the Battlefield to the Medical Front
After facing the horrors of war, many veterans find themselves battling a formidable new adversary: cancer. Among them is John Ryan, a U.S. Navy veteran from Aldie, Virginia, who served his country for three decades before being diagnosed with lung cancer.
Ryan’s military service, much of which remains shrouded in secrecy, began in October 1962. He joined the nuclear power program during the Cuban Missile Crisis, embarking on numerous patrols on nuclear submarines. After retiring from active duty in 1992, he settled down in Northern Virginia to spend time with his family.
A Grim Diagnosis and the Light of Immunotherapy
In 2013, Ryan’s world was shattered when he received a diagnosis of stage 4 adenocarcinoma, a type of non-small cell lung cancer. The prognosis was grim, but Ryan refused to give up. He sought a second opinion from Dr. Julie Brahmer at John’s Hopkins in Maryland.
Dr. Brahmer enrolled Ryan in a clinical trial for immunotherapy, a revolutionary treatment approach that harnesses the patient’s own immune system to fight cancer. Over nine weeks, Ryan received four infusions of nivolumab (Opdivo).
The results were astonishing. Ryan’s CT scans revealed a remarkable 65% reduction in tumor size. "That was great," he recounted, "and then it just kind of walked down – I was down to like 84% shrink."
The Roadblocks and the Unwavering Spirit
Along with immunotherapy, Ryan underwent stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), a highly targeted type of radiation that arrested the growth of his tumor with minimal side effects. However, in 2022, he experienced a major setback when he developed chronic pneumonitis, a condition that can occur as a result of long-term immunotherapy.
Despite the setbacks, Ryan never wavered in his determination. He credited his faith and the support of loved ones for giving him the strength to persevere. "You’ve got to draw your hope and courage from somewhere," he said. "Faith was high."
Immunotherapy: A New Paradigm in Cancer Treatment
Dr. Brahmer, who spoke at a Cancer Research Institute (CRI) seminar in 2022, emphasized the remarkable progress made in immunotherapy development. She hailed it as the "new foundation" for lung cancer treatment, with potential benefits extending to other thoracic cancers such as mesothelioma.
"New therapies will continue to build on these successes," she said. "We still have a lot of work to do, but there is hope for long-term control of the disease and potentially even a cure."
Importance of Clinical Trials and Patient Advocacy
Ryan highlighted the crucial role of clinical trials in advancing cancer treatments. He emphasized the importance of patients actively participating in research to help develop safer and more effective therapies.
"Clinical trials are essential," Ryan said. "They’re the key to finding new cures and treatments."
Veteran Health and the Toll of Toxic Exposure
According to Dr. Brahmer, veterans face an elevated risk of lung cancer due to their exposure to toxic substances during military service. This increased risk underscores the need for ongoing research and comprehensive care for our nation’s heroes.
John Ryan’s journey from the horrors of war to the challenges of cancer is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. His unwavering determination and the transformative power of immunotherapy offer hope to countless others battling this relentless disease.
