Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of Naval Operations, was successfully treated for breast cancer in July, the Navy announced Friday.
Franchetti was diagnosed in late June following a routine mammogram, had a successful lumpectomy with sentinel node biopsy performed in July at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and completed radiotherapy in August.
During the July operation, in which Franchetti underwent less than 90 minutes of general anesthesia, she transferred her authority as chief to Vice Chief Naval Operations Adm. James Kilby, Navy spokeswoman CDR Desiree Frame told the Washington Examiner.
Franchetti informed Austin of her absence via a memo, which is customary.
The CNO notified Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Adm. Chris Grady, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, Vice Chief of Naval Operations Admiral James Kilby, and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James Honea when she was diagnosed in June and again before her surgery in July, Frame added.
“I am grateful for my wonderful team of doctors at John P. Murtha Cancer Center for their excellent care and their development of a treatment plan that allows me to continue leading the world’s greatest Navy,” Franchetti said. “I am blessed that this was detected early and will forever be an advocate for early and routine screening.”
Questions about Franchetti’s health, the time between her diagnosis and surgery, and the release of the information to the public conjure up comparisons to Austin’s secret hospitalization nearly a year ago.
Austin was diagnosed with cancer back in Dec. 2023 and had treatment for it at the time. He was then hospitalized with complications around New Year’s Eve, and his staff did not inform other Pentagon leaders, the White House, Congress, or the public for days.
Austin was brought to Walter Reed in an ambulance on Jan. 1 and signed over his duties to Hicks on Jan. 2. The Department of Defense notified the White House on Jan. 4, and the public and Congress on Jan. 5, which is the day he resumed his duties.
The handling of his hospitalization, which Austin has apologized for, prompted both Congressional and White House scrutiny, and the Pentagon and White House have since updated relevant policies.
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“I was being treated for prostate cancer,” Austin said on Feb. 1. “The news shook me, and I know that it shakes so many others, especially in the black community. It was a gut punch, and frankly, my first instinct was to keep it private. I don’t think it’s news that I’m a pretty private guy. I never like burdening others with my problems. It’s just not my way. But, I’ve learned from this experience.”
Austin was hospitalized again about two weeks after those remarks with an “emergent bladder issue,” which led to him having an elective, minimally invasive procedure.