Breast cancer is the biggest cause of cancer deaths in women. It becomes even more deadly when it starts spreading from its original place to other parts of the body, especially the lungs. This process is called Metastasis. Till now, scientists were struggling to understand why the lungs prove to be so ‘helpful’ for cancer cells, but a new research from the University of Colorado Cancer Center has solved this mystery. The ‘repair system’ of the lungs becomes the weapon of cancer. Researchers found that our lungs have an amazing ability to heal themselves naturally. When the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs are damaged, the body’s defense mechanisms are activated to repair them. Cancer’s trick: Breast cancer cells invade the lungs and damage these alveoli. Hijack the process: As the lungs use alveolar type II cells to repair themselves, cancer cells ‘hijack’ this repair process. Inflammation Further development: Cancer cells deliberately prolong this repair process, which leads to persistent inflammation in the lungs. This inflammatory environment acts as a fertilizer for the rapid growth of cancer tumors. Roflumilast: An old drug, new hope. The most revolutionary thing about this research is that scientists have identified a drug that can stop this deadly process. Researchers tested a drug called roflumilast, which is currently approved to treat COPD (a chronic lung disease). How does the drug work? Instead of killing cancer cells directly, the drug changes the lung environment: It frees the lung’s repair system from the effects of cancer. Slowed down the pace of its spread. What will be the next step? Senior author of the study, Jennifer K. According to Richer, this discovery is a ‘ray of hope’ for patients with metastatic cancer. More research will be done on this in the future to find out: Can it be given in combination with chemotherapy or immunotherapy? Can this drug be helpful in reducing serious side effects during cancer treatment? Precautions and symptoms Breast cancer spread to the lungs (Lung Metastasis) often starts with these symptoms, which should not be ignored: Persistent dry cough. Difficulty breathing or heaviness in the chest. Pain or discomfort. Blood in spit.