Thanks for speaking out, Kate: NHS and cancer charities salute Princess of Wales for courageously sharing ‘huge shock’ diagnosis and pleading with fellow sufferers not to ‘lose faith or hope’
It’s a disease that will affect half of us in our lifetime and almost certainly someone we know and love.
The Princess of Wales is now one of them after her shock diagnosis.
Kate Middleton, 42, Today bravely revealed that doctors had discovered an unspecified form of cancer in tests taken after her abdominal surgery.
In an emotional video message filmed in Windsor on Wednesday, Kate revealed that the news had come as a ‘huge shock’ and that she and William have ‘made every effort to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family’ .
Experts and charities praised the decision, saying it will encourage others to seek help for their own potential cancer symptoms.
In a video message released today, Kate said her medical team had advised her to undergo a preventative course of chemotherapy. “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,” she added.
The Princess of Wales said her family (pictured together on December 25) ‘need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment’
Catherine’s emotional and extraordinary words in her unprecedented video message
NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: “On behalf of the NHS, I am truly sorry to hear this shocking news.
‘Our thoughts are with the Princess of Wales and the Royal Family, especially while her treatment continues.
‘We know how difficult a diagnosis and treatment process can be for patients and their families.
‘Speaking out about it is very brave and can help others manage worrying signs and symptoms.
‘If you’re worried about cancer, you can find more information on the NHS website.’
Meanwhile, Cancer Research UK CEO Michelle Mitchell said: “On behalf of everyone at Cancer Research UK, I wish Her Royal Highness a full, speedy recovery and a return to good health.
‘At this difficult time, it is important that the Princess is given the time and space to focus on her treatment and that we respect the family’s privacy.
‘Nearly one in two of us will develop cancer in our lifetime, but many more are affected when someone they love is diagnosed with cancer.
‘Thanks to research there is hope: the survival rate from cancer has doubled in the past fifty years.’
She added: ‘Cancer rumors often act as a stimulus to encourage people to find out more or think about their own health.
‘If people notice something that is not normal for them or does not go away, they should contact their GP.
‘It probably won’t be cancer. But if it is, identifying it at an early stage means that the treatment is likely to be successful.’
The Princess of Wales’s cancer was only discovered after she underwent major abdominal surgery at the London Clinic in January.
Kensington Palace has said it will not share details about what type of cancer the princess has, or what stage of cancer it is, and has asked people not to speculate.
It is understood the King – who was himself diagnosed with cancer earlier this year – and the Queen have both been informed of the news.
At the time of her abdominal surgery in January, Kensington Palace said it was not cancer.
However, post-operative tests later revealed that it was cancerous.
Elliot Colburn, MP and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer, also praised the Princess of Wales’s decision.
“I would like to send our best wishes to the Princess of Wales from all of us and wish her well in her treatment,” he said.
Potential symptoms of cancer are specific to the type of disease, and experts say the most important thing is to have any new or changed aspect of your body examined by a doctor.
Some of the most common symptoms include a cough that lasts for more than three weeks, a change in bowel habits or bloating over the same period of time, a new lump on the body, unexplained bleeding or weight loss, yellowing of the skin, and a constant tired feeling. and unwell.
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
Catherine, Princess of Wales, attends the opening of Evelina London’s new pediatric day surgery unit on December 5
About 375,000 cases of cancer are diagnosed in the UK every year
Around 167,000 Britons die from cancer every year, accounting for a quarter of all annual deaths in Britain.
Cancer survival rates have doubled over the past fifty years, according to data published by Cancer Research UK (CRUK).
It is expected that half of those diagnosed with the condition will live for at least another ten years, although these chances vary considerably for specific types of the disease.
Despite the toll cancer is taking in Britain, crucial NHS targets for the disease, such as early diagnosis and treatment, continue to be missed in England.
The healthcare system is currently facing a post-Covid backlog of cancer referrals, with the latest NHS data showing that more than 10,000 patients have not started cancer treatment within two months of an urgent referral from their GP.
It means that only six in ten cancer patients (62.3 percent) were seen within the two-month target.
According to NHS guidelines, 85 percent of cancer patients should be seen within this time frame.
But this target has not been achieved nationally since December 2015.
Only 70.9 percent of patients referred urgently for suspected cancer were diagnosed or ruled out within 28 days, compared to 74.2 percent the month before. The goal is 75 percent.
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.