Kate Middleton reveals cancer diagnosis: what we know so far | Health News

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Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, has revealed that she has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy.

This is what is known so far:

What did Kate say?

On Friday afternoon, Kate posted a video update on her health. The message, recorded on Wednesday, was broadcast two days later.

It came after weeks of speculation about her whereabouts and health since she was hospitalized in January.

“In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time my condition was thought to be non-cancerous,” Kate said.

“The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found that there was cancer. Therefore, my medical team recommended that I undergo preventive chemotherapy treatment and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.”

He explained that his diagnosis was a “big shock.”

“As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery to be able to start my treatment. But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to assure them that I am going to be fine,” Kate added, referring to her three children with Prince William, the king’s eldest son. Charles and heir to the British throne.


Prince George is 10 years old; Princess Charlotte, 8; and Prince Louis, 5.

Kate did not reveal what type of cancer she had been diagnosed with, although she also asked for space and privacy.

“We hope you understand that as a family we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment,” she explained.

“My job has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I hope to return when I can, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.”

From left to right: Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte leave Buckingham Palace (File: Alastair Grant/AP)

The cancer diagnosis is the latest in a series of health challenges the royal family has had to face.

King Charles was diagnosed with cancer in February, less than 18 months after succeeding his mother, Queen Elizabeth, following her death in September 2022. He has since stepped away from public engagements. Buckingham Palace has not said what stage his cancer was found at.

On January 21, Prince Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, said she had malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer.

What type of surgery did Kate have on January 16?

Kate, 42, underwent what was described as abdominal surgery on January 16. The news was not announced until the following day, when Kensington Palace revealed that the princess was recovering from a planned operation.

At the time, authorities said his condition was not cancerous, but did not specify what type of surgery he had undergone, saying only that it was successful. They also explained that he was unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter, which this year falls on March 31.

Kate was discharged from the London Clinic, a private hospital located near Regent’s Park in the heart of the UK capital, on January 29. After her discharge, she returned to Windsor, located west of London, to continue her recovery. .

Charles was discharged from the same hospital on the same day as Kate.


What happened after leaving the hospital on January 29?

Although the palace explained the timeline of the princess’s recovery, Kate’s health and location sparked widespread speculation. Kate made her first public appearance on March 4 when she was spotted in Windsor. She was sitting in the front passenger seat of a car driven by her mother, Carole Middleton.

What about the Mother’s Day photo on March 10?

Speculation continued to grow and, amid a social media frenzy, Kate and William posted an official photo of her and their three children on Mother’s Day, celebrated on March 10 in the United Kingdom.

But instead of ending the speculation, it fueled it further, after news agencies retracted it because it appeared to have been manipulated. A day later, Kate admitted that she had edited the photograph and apologized.

She was later photographed with her husband in a car leaving Windsor Castle.

“First of all, why in this current climate do you think you can post a doctored image and get away with it?” Afua Hagan, a journalist and royal commentator, told Al Jazeera.

“But what really baffles me is that Kate didn’t do this alone. She has a team around her,” Hagan said.

“There is also a problem with the public relations and communications team, which has let you down a lot. “Your team has thrown you under the bus, Princess of Wales, and you take the blame,” she added.


Is it unusual to find cancer after surgery?

While it’s rare to find cancer after surgery for a noncancerous problem, it occurs in about 4 percent of such surgeries, said Yuman Fong, a surgeon at City of Hope Cancer Center in Southern California.

“That 4 percent figure represents someone who goes under the knife for what is believed to be a benign disease, such as a procedure to remove the gallbladder or ovarian cysts,” Fong said.

What kind of treatment is Kate receiving?

The palace statement said no details would be provided about his cancer or his treatment, other than that he began it in late February.

After successful surgery, chemotherapy is often used to help kill lost cancer cells and prevent the cancer from coming back. Treatments have evolved, and when chemotherapy is now used, it is sometimes for shorter periods or at lower doses than before.

“Fatigue, nausea, tingling in the hands and feet, and sometimes hair loss are side effects of chemotherapy,” said Monica Avila, a doctor at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. “But there are medications to improve these side effects. And cold caps that cool the scalp can prevent hair loss,” Ávila said.

“It can take a patient from a few weeks to one or two months to recover from these effects,” Ávila added. The numbness and tingling may take longer to go away, he added.

Is it unusual to find cancer in someone young?

Cancer is rare in young adults. But in developed countries, rates of some cancers are increasing among younger adults. Kate is 42 years old.

“We hate that young people get cancer, but at the same time they are the ones who recover the best,” Fong said.

According to Macmillan Cancer Support, “around 393,000 people in the UK are told they have cancer” each year. According to the centre, in the UK, on ​​average, someone is diagnosed with cancer at least every 90 seconds.

And around 167,000 people die from cancer each year in the UK, an average of “460 people every day”.

What have been the reactions after Kate’s announcement?

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, who have been separated from William and Kate since they moved to California in 2020, wished the princess well.

“We wish health and healing for Kate and her family, and hope they can do so privately and peacefully,” they said in a statement.

Kate’s brother, James Middleton, also offered his support, with a photo of the two of them as children.

King Charles said he was very proud of Kate for speaking out about cancer.

Charles is “very proud of Catherine for her bravery in speaking out as she did” and “has remained in close contact with his beloved daughter-in-law over the past few weeks” after they spent time together in hospital, a Palace spokesperson said. Buckingham. saying.

Charles and his wife Camilla “will continue to offer their love and support to the entire family at this difficult time,” the spokesperson added.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Kate “has the love and support of the whole country”.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also wished Kate a speedy recovery.

In a post on X, US President Joe Biden said he and first lady Jill Biden “join millions of people around the world in praying for your full recovery, Princess Kate.”

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