National Women’s Health Week: Breast Cancer Metastasis to the Lungs

This week marks National Women’s Health Week, a national observance aimed at empowering women to prioritize their health.

As the second-most diagnosed cancer in women in the U.S., breast cancer is among the most dangerous diseases facing women today. Louisville CyberKnife urges women to take early detection seriously, as many may be unaware that breast cancer can spread, or metastasize, to other areas of the body.

The American Cancer Society estimates that 232,670 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year. In some cases women discover their breast cancer after it starts causing symptoms, meaning there’s a possibility the cancer may have advanced and spread to other vital organs in the body. One of the most common sites of breast cancer metastasis is to the lungs.

There are a variety of treatment options for metastatic breast cancer in the lungs. Some small lung lesions can be removed with surgery, but patients may suffer from other medical problems or may be opposed to an invasive procedure. In these cases, important treatment options like stereotactic body radiation therapy with CyberKnife^® offer a nonsurgical alternative.

CyberKnife offers nonsurgical treatment of lung tumors, while carrying a low risk of side effects. Learn more about CyberKnife treatment here.

This is not intended as medical advice to replace the expertise and judgment of your health care team. It is intended to help you and your family make informed decisions, together with your doctor.