Top US Navy officer successfully treated for breast cancer

Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to lead the US Navy, has been treated for breast cancer and is free of the disease, the military service said Friday.

Franchetti was diagnosed with cancer in late June after a routine screening, underwent outpatient surgery in July, completed radiation therapy and began maintenance endocrine therapy this month, the Navy said in a statement.

The admiral "is cancer free after undergoing treatment for stage 1 breast cancer" at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the statement said.

Franchetti said in the statement that she is "blessed that this was detected early and will forever be an advocate for early and routine screening."

She was confirmed as chief of naval operations in November 2023 after previously serving on a series of surface vessels and commanding a guided missile destroyer, a destroyer squadron and two carrier strike groups.

Franchetti was also deputy commander of US naval forces in Europe as well as in Africa, deputy chief of naval operations for warfighting development, and vice chief of naval operations -- the service's number two position.

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