The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, has revealed that she is undergoing treatment for cancer after a recent diagnosis. Almost 2 months later, her husband Prince William rarely speaks about her.
In a heartfelt video statement released on March 22, she disclosed that post-operative tests following her abdominal surgery revealed the presence of cancer.
"It was a huge shock after an incredibly tough couple of months," Catherine shared in her statement. Despite the challenging news, she expressed optimism, stating, "I am well and getting stronger every day."
While the details of her cancer have not been disclosed, Kensington Palace has assured the public that they are confident in her full recovery. The princess, 42, began a course of preventative chemotherapy in late February, as advised by her medical team.
Addressing those affected by cancer, she offered words of encouragement, saying, "For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone."
Prince William also provided an update on Kate's condition during a recent public appearance. When asked about the wellbeing of Kate and their three children, he reassured the crowd, saying, "All doing well, thank you. We're all doing well."
Fans of the royal couple have expressed admiration for William's support and kindness towards Kate. One fan wrote, "Extremely kind," while another commented, "Love this so." Others praised his discretion, with one user stating, "I think he gave a brilliant answer, he’s not going to divulge anything about his Wife until she’s ready."
Aside from discussing Kate's health, fans also noted Prince William's appearance, with some expressing concern over his weight loss. One user remarked, "He's really lost weight," while another said, "He looks too thin. Poor guy."
Despite these challenges, the royal couple recently celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary. To mark the occasion, they shared a previously unseen picture from their wedding day, showcasing their enduring love and commitment.
As Kate continues her cancer treatment, fans and well-wishers are sending their thoughts and prayers for her full recovery.
As previously reported:
The palace’s social media shared an update on January 29, 2024, stating that the Princess of Wales is grateful for the support she’s received and “making good progress” in her recovery.
"The Princess of Wales has returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery from surgery. She is making good progress. The Prince and Princess wish to say a huge thank you to the entire team at The London Clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they have provided."
The update concluded with words of appreciation, "The Wales family continues to be grateful for the well wishes they have received from around the world."
The next announcement came from Kate herself, and while it gave some clarity, unanswered aspects of her current condition remain speculation, although experts offered their insights.
Why Did Kate Middleton Wait to Share Her Diagnosis?
Kate Middleton’s message also hinted at the reason it took some time before her diagnosis was publically shared.
The news was a “huge shock” for Kate and William, and they have been keeping it private for the sake of their family.
“It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. But most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte, and Louis in a way that’s appropriate for them and to reassure them that I’m going to be OK,” the Princess said.
Towards the end of her message, Kate added, “We hope that you’ll understand that as a family we now need some time, space, and privacy while I complete my treatment.”
The Palace also reportedly issued a statement that echoed the reasons Kate gave in her video message.
"The Princess wanted to share this information when she and The Prince felt it was right for them as a family," the statement read.
Sarah Hewson, a royal editor for Talk TV, also weighed in on the situation after seeing Kate’s message.
“This statement has some very clear messages. Where was Kate? Reeling from a shock diagnosis, putting all her energy into getting strong enough to start chemotherapy and, above all, protecting her children,” Hewson said.
What Type of Cancer Does Kate Middleton Have?
Since the type of cancer the Princess was diagnosed with had not been specified, medical experts have ventured into narrowing down possibilities.
NBC medical contributor, Dr. Tara Narula reportedly said that Kate’s treatment, which usually lasts from three to six months, is “typically used for breast, colon, ovarian, or lung cancer.”
As for side effects the Princess may experience, Dr. Narula said it could include “fatigue, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding, bruising, infections." Prolonged treatment could also result in fertility issues, cardiovascular complications, and various effects on her organs.
The treatment can be just as intense as what can be experienced with any chemotherapy agent, as Dr. Narula elaborated:
"This is not a walk in the park. When we say the term preventive, it sounds light and fluffy, but she may be going through a lot this time."
According to the director of precision oncology at Vanderbilt School of Medicine, Dr. Ben Ho Park, the types of cancers most commonly discovered during abdominal surgery are genital, gastrointestinal, and urinary. But he admits it “could be anything.”
To understand the potential implications of Kate's treatment, medical experts offer insights into what 'preventive chemotherapy' entails and the types of cancer it might address.
What Is Preventive Chemotherapy?
Dr. Ben Ho Park also clarified the term “preventive chemotherapy” Kate used in her video message.
While it’s not actually a clinical term, it refers to adjuvant chemotherapy, which is “a treatment conducted after an initial treatment, like surgery, to prevent cancer from coming back.”
How they decide who receives this kind of treatment is based on factors like the type of cancer, the stage of the cancer, and the patient’s age.
“Even though the surgeons have removed everything they can see, there could still be cancer cells floating around in the body that, if left untreated, may come back later (and) is then incurable,” he added.
Dr. Park thinks that Kate’s treatment is “trying to maximize” on ones already received to eliminate every cancer cell.
Is It Unusual to Find Cancer after Surgery?
According to a surgeon at the City of Hope cancer center in Southern California, Dr. Yuman Fong, finding cancer after surgery for a noncancerous problem is so rare it only occurs in about 4% of relevant cases.
“That 4% figure represents someone who’s going to the operating room for what is thought to be benign disease” such as a procedure to remove the gallbladder or ovarian cysts, Fong said.
