The Princess of Wales has today shared that she’s undergoing preventative chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer following major abdominal surgery in January
The Princess of Wales announced this evening that she has been diagnosed with cancer following abdominal surgery in January.
Kate, 42, was admitted to hospital on January 16 for “major abdominal surgery”, which was successful. At the time of her operation, it was thought that her condition was non-cancerous, as no tests had confirmed the presence of cancer. However, post-operative tests confirmed that cancer had been present.
“For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone”, she told viewers, sharing that she had undergone a “tough couple of months”, but insisting that she was determined to get fighting fit once more.
She said it was a “huge shock” when she was told of the cancer, but she’d told her children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight and Prince Louis, five, that she was going to be “ok”.
Kate is undergoing preventative chemotherapy. So, what is preventative chemotherapy? Also known as preventive chemotherapy or adjuvant chemotherapy, Mayo Clinic describes it as being “often used after primary treatments such as surgery”.
The medical site says it is used to “lessen the chance of your cancer coming back”. Their website states: “Even if your surgery was successful at removing all visible cancer, microscopic bits of cancer sometimes remain and are undetectable with current methods.
“Adjuvant therapy given before the main treatment is called neoadjuvant therapy. This type of adjuvant therapy can also decrease the chance of the cancer coming back, and it’s often used to make the primary treatment – such as an operation or radiation treatment – easier or more effective.”
This type of chemotherapy is usually delivered as an IV drip or tablets where they can be carried throughout the body via the bloodstream. It’s not yet clear whether Kate will have this treatment at home, or in the hospital.
The princess said: “In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present.” She had to recover from the abdominal surgery before she could begin the preventative treatment, and Kate confirmed she is “now in the early stages of that treatment”.
Appearing incredibly stoic while delivering her devastating message, the princess praised her husband Prince William for his love and support, saying: “Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.” She added: “William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.”
A Kensington Palace spokesperson said: “The Princess is in good spirits and focused on her recovery. She is hugely grateful to the medical team for the care they are providing to her. She now needs time, space and privacy to complete her treatment and make a full recovery.”
