US Army Veteran Fights Back When Lung Cancer Strikes

After nearly 25 years in the U.S. military and a subsequent career devoted to law enforcement, Ray Montano has developed a certain stoic attitude about life. So when he unexpectedly learned this summer that he had lung cancer, his strategy was what you might expect: attack and defeat.

“I wanted it gone,” says the 66-year-old Cutler Bay grandfather.

Mr. Montano has found the forces to support his battle in his wife, Irene, and the multidisciplinary experts at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute. Enduring the challenges of surgery, chemotherapy and a severe COVID infection that derailed his treatment for several weeks, he is now focused on returning to health and his next phase of life.

“At 66 years old, this is my first medical issue,” Mr. Montano says. “I look forward for this experience to be over.”

A Surprise Diagnosis

Mr. Montano, who works as district director for the civilian investigative unit of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, had no symptoms before he was diagnosed with lung cancer in July 2025. His cancer was detected after he underwent routine diagnostic screening for an unrelated condition at a Baptist Health Imaging Center in Cutler Bay.

To satisfy his wife, Mr. Montano had agreed to undergo a calcium scoring CT screening, a preventive test that assesses the heart’s arteries to quantify the risk of coronary artery disease. The scan flagged a nearby area of concern in his right lung.

“He was diagnosed with an incidental lung nodule that appeared concerning for a primary malignancy,” explains Ian Bostock, M.D., thoracic surgical oncologist at Miami Cancer Institute.

Such incidental findings — which means they were discovered during tests for something else — are not unusual, Dr. Bostock says. To respond to these unexpected results, the Institute is developing a structured program to help patients with incidental lung nodules access expert care and early diagnosis, he says.

“A lot of patients are found to have incidental lung nodules when they obtain imaging studies for a different purpose,” says Dr. Bostock. Although not all lung nodules are cancer, he says, “These findings should not be ignored and should motivate patients to seek care.”

Pursuing Expert Care

Following additional tests, Mr. Montano underwent a robotic-assisted surgery at Baptist Health South Miami Hospital to remove the upper right lobe of his affected lung. He still marvels that because of the minimally invasive approach, he was able to go home the next day.

“His tumor was completely removed and his margins were negative,” says Dr. Bostock, who performed the surgery. “This case really highlights the use of modern technology to provide minimally invasive surgery with excellent outcomes, and the different options patients have with regard to novel therapies that really can help them live longer and achieve higher rates of cure.”

Mr. Montano was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, the most common type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), originating in the mucus-producing glands of the lungs. The cancer had spread to one of his mediastinal lymph nodes, which also was removed.

Following his surgery, medical oncologist Nicole Eiseler, M.D., prescribed four sessions of chemotherapy and a year of monthly immunotherapy infusions to help Mr. Montano’s own immune system detect and defeat any cancer cells should they reappear.

“The use of minimally invasive surgery and novel medications such as immunotherapy and targeted therapy is a game changer,” Dr. Bostock explains. “This treatment strategy using surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy has been shown to have a tremendous impact on our ability to achieve cure and cancer-free survival.”

Being Vigilant About Lung Cancer

Lung cancer can affect anyone. Although the risk is higher among people who smoke, or who smoked in the past, up to 20 percent of cases are diagnosed among people who have never smoked.

Mr. Montano smoked in the past but quit. He also says he may have been exposed to carcinogens during his service in the Army, from which he retired as a Chief Warrant Officer Four, the second-highest Warrant Officer rank in the U.S. Army. He says he served several training tours at the now-closed Fort McClellan in Alabama, considered a possible source of toxic exposure to veterans due to its history as a training ground for the Army Chemical Corps.

Mr. Montano is grateful for the treatment he has received from Baptist Health Cancer Care. “Every doctor, nurse and support staff has been exceptional and has made an otherwise unpleasant experience as pleasant as possible,” he says.

Anyone with concerns about their risk for lung cancer — for any reason — should talk to their physician, Mr. Montano says. Early diagnosis improves survival. “Have yourself checked out,” he advises.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Baptist Health offers affordable lung cancer screenings for those at risk, and assistance may be available if insurance will not cover the cost. To learn more, click here.