Kate Middleton shocked the world by announcing that she has cancer in a very personal and emotional television statement.
The Princess of Wales, 42, announced she is undergoing ‘preventive chemotherapy’, with her illness detected after major abdominal surgery in January.
But what is preventive chemotherapy? When is it used? Is it the same as traditional chemo? And what are the side effects?
Discovering cancer after surgery is ‘not uncommon’, says a top doctor.
Dr. Mangesh Thorat, deputy director of the Barts clinical trials unit at the Center for Cancer Prevention at Queen Mary University, told Sky News: ‘It’s not very common, but it’s not uncommon either.
‘We often encounter this because the scans we make preoperatively often have their limitations. If you look at things under a microscope after an organ has been removed, you get much better resolution and then you pick up the cancer.
“So it’s not unusual.”
Here MailOnline explains everything…
What treatment will Kate receive?
In her emotional statement, filmed in Windsor, Kate said her medical team ‘recommended I should undergo a course of preventive chemotherapy’.
She revealed she was in the “early stages of that treatment,” which started in late February.
Kate is now said to be in a ‘recovery journey’. No other details were given.
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 Kate’s case, chemotherapy can also be used preventively, in the hope of preventing the cancer from coming back.
Diagram showing how preventive chemotherapy works
Does this mean her cancer is already gone?
No details have been shared as to whether this was the case.
Kate only said that her major abdominal surgery in London in January, which doctors thought was a non-cancerous condition before they discovered the truth, was successful.
Preventive chemotherapy, also called adjuvant chemotherapy, aims to prevent cancer from returning once the main tumor has been removed from the body.
The NHS says it can be used to ‘reduce the risk of the cancer coming back after radiotherapy or surgery’.
What does the treatment entail?
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 may be administered in a hospital or in the patient’s comfort at home.
There are more than 100 types of chemotherapy drugs.
They all work in a similar way: they circulate through the blood and prevent cancer cells from reproducing anywhere in the body by killing them before they have a chance to divide. This prevents them from growing and spreading in the body.
What are the side effects?
Cancer Research UK says: ‘The fact that chemotherapy drugs kill dividing cells helps explain why chemotherapy causes side effects.
‘Body tissues are made up of billions of individual cells.
‘Once we are fully grown, most body cells no longer divide and multiply much. They only divide when they have to repair damage.’
However, some cells still divide in mature adults, such as those in the hair (which is constantly growing) and the skin (which is constantly renewing itself).
Because the treatment indiscriminately attacks body tissues, whether cancerous or not, it can cause side effects such as hair loss, fatigue and bruising.
Often a patient undergoing chemotherapy is also taking other medications intended to alleviate or combat some of these symptoms.
Symptoms usually disappear once treatment ends.
The Princess of Wales said her family (pictured together on December 25) ‘need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment’
What has the NHS said?
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.’
How have other cancer charities responded?
Charities have praised Kate’s decision to speak out, saying it will encourage others to seek help for their own potential cancer symptoms.
Michelle Mitchell, CEO of Cancer Research UK, said: ‘On behalf of everyone at Cancer Research UK, I wish Her Royal Highness a full, speedy recovery and 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.”
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.’
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.
