Kate Middleton’s preventative chemo explained: How cancer-fighting drugs with brutal side effects will aim to stop Princess of Wales’ disease returning
The Princess of Wales today revealed she is undergoing preventive chemotherapy following her shock cancer diagnosis.
Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to attack tumors and is typically given to directly treat cancer or shrink a tumor in preparation for surgery.
As in the case of Kate Middleton, chemo can also be used as a preventive option in the hope of preventing the return of cancer.
Today, Kate, 42, said in a statement that she has undergone this preventive form of chemotherapy. She started treatment at the end of February.
At the time, it was believed that the reason for Kate’s surgery was not cancer.
Today she said subsequent tests showed it was cancerous.
Kate was then advised to undergo preventive chemotherapy and described herself as being in the ‘early stages’ of that treatment.
Preventive chemotherapy, also called adjuvant chemotherapy, aims to prevent cancer from returning once the main tumor has been removed from the body.
Cancer can spread to other parts of the body, a process called metastasis, in which small cancer cells break off the main tumor and take root elsewhere.
These “new” cancers can be difficult to detect, so doctors who specialize in treating cancer, called oncologists, often advise patients to undergo preventive chemotherapy in an attempt to eliminate any remaining traces of the disease.
Preventive chemotherapy is usually administered as an infusion or tablets, where they are then carried throughout the body by the bloodstream.
Depending on the type, chemotherapy can be administered in a hospital or at the patient’s home.
There are more than 100 types of chemotherapy drugs, but they all work in a similar way and circulate through the blood.
The drugs are cytotoxic, meaning they are toxic to cells and especially to cells that are dividing rapidly.
Because cancer cells divide more than healthy cells, they are more affected by chemotherapy, which is why it is used as a treatment for the disease.
However, other types of fast-growing cells, such as hair, bone marrow, skin and the lining of the digestive system, are also damaged.
This leads to some of the famous side effects of chemotherapy, such as hair loss or thinning, fatigue, easier bruising and bleeding, an increased risk of infection, diarrhea or constipation, nausea or vomiting, rash, and more.
Often a patient undergoing chemotherapy is also taking other medications intended to alleviate or combat some of these symptoms.
The specific dosage and type of chemotherapy used varies depending on the type of cancer.
The Princess of Wales with her children in her Mother’s Day portrait, which has now taken on significance given her diagnosis
The Prince and Princess of Wales were spotted together last week as William attended The Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey
The Princess of Wales said her family (pictured together on December 25) ‘need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment’
Catherine, Princess of Wales, attends the opening of Evelina London’s new pediatric day surgery unit on December 5
The effectiveness of preventive chemotherapy varies considerably from patient to patient.
Factors that influence its success include the specific type of cancer, when the cancer was originally treated, the patient’s age, and whether he or she has any other health problems.
The specific type of cancer Kate has has not been revealed.
Around 375,000 cases of cancer are diagnosed in the UK each year, with 167,000 patients dying from the disease each year.
Survival rates vary considerably by type of cancer. In total, 50 percent of cancer patients will still be alive ten years after their diagnosis.
Kate’s battle with cancer in her own words: Full emotional video statement from the Princess of Wales
I wanted to take this opportunity to personally thank you for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding while I was recovering from surgery.
It’s been an incredibly tough few months for our whole family, but I’ve had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful.
In January I had major abdominal surgery in London and at the time my condition was deemed to be non-cancerous. The operation was successful. However, tests after the surgery revealed that cancer was present. My medical team therefore recommended that I undergo a course of preventive chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.
This obviously came as a huge shock, and William and I have done everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.
As you can imagine, this has taken time. It took me time to recover from major surgery before I could start my treatment. But the most important thing is that it took us time to explain everything
George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that suits them, and to reassure them that I will be fine.
As I told them; I am doing well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirit.
Having William by my side is also a great source of comfort and reassurance. As does the love, support and kindness shown by so many of you. It means so much to both of us.
We hope you understand that we as a family now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment. My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.
At this time I also think of all those whose lives have been touched by cancer. To anyone facing this disease in any form, please do not lose faith and hope. You are not alone.