‘I am so proud of Catherine’: King’s moving tribute after Kate’s cancer bombshell
King Charles said he was “so proud” of his “beloved” daughter-in-law after she publicly revealed her shock cancer diagnosis. See the video.
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The next 12 weeks will prove critical for Princess Catherine as she undergoes a gruelling course of preventive chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells from potentially returning.
The Princess of Wales on Saturday revealed she was in “the early stages of that treatment” after tests post her abdominal surgery in January showed the presence of cancer.
While the mother-of-three did not reveal what type of cancer she is battling, medical experts said most courses of preventive chemotherapy last 12 weeks and are commonly delivered by infusion either at a hospital or via a portal pump.
While chemotherapy is the use of powerful medicines to treat cancer by destroying or slowing the growth of cancer cells, preventive chemotherapy is a treatment that is given after surgery in hopes that it will increase the odds of a full recovery.
The side effects the Princess of Wales will endure largely depend on the cancer she is being treated for.
But the loss of her hair, as well as nausea and infections are all possible side effects for cancer patients.
“In many cases, surgery is followed by chemotherapy to reduce the chances of the cancer coming back and to aim for the best possible outcomes,” Cancer Australia’s Medical Director Professor Vivienne Milch said
“Treatment side effects are different for different types of treatment and for each person with cancer,” Prof Milch said.
Oncologists call the use of preventive chemotherapy “adjuvant” therapy and treatment can last from a few weeks to as long as a year after the surgery.
Potential side effects including nausea and vomiting can be mitigated through “good supportive care [that] can manage the side effects and toxicities of treatments”.
“Cancer treatments are improving all the time, as knowledge is advancing through clinical trials and innovation,” Prof Milch said.
Princess Catherine is the third member of the royal family to battle cancer, with her father-in-law King Charles revealing his on diagnosis earlier this year, and Sarah Ferguson undergoing a masectomy last June, and then later confirming she was being treated for unrelated malignant melanoma that
While Princess Catherine’s cancer diagnosis may have come as a shock, at 42 she is the age category which accounted for the biggest increase in cancer diagnosis among Australians.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s latest Cancer in Australia report from 2021, cancer diagnosis for those aged between 40 and 59 increased quicker than any other age group,
In 2023, it was estimated cancer was responsible for about three of every 10 deaths in Australia.
UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center’s director of women’s health research Dr Beth Karlan said Princess Catherine’s public admission about her cancer battle and treatment will have a positive impact on others.
“There is a lot of evidence to support adjuvant chemotherapy impacting overall survival, and allowing patients to live years longer and perhaps even effecting a cure,” Dr Karlan said.
“The example she is providing with her message will have a salutary effect on so many other people.”
‘A HUGE SHOCK’
The Princess of Wales revealed the news in a touching video message at 6pm local time (5am AEDT), saying the diagnosis was a “huge shock”.
The 42-year old mother of three has told how she was left stunned at having been told she had cancer found while undergoing abdominal surgery nine weeks ago at the private London Clinic.
“The surgery was successful,” she said, adding, “However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present.
“My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventive chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.
“This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing 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 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 is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be okay.”
It comes as King Charles praised Princess Catherine’s bravery in a statement and revealed the two have remained in close contact while both undergoing treatment.
“I am so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did,” he said.
The monarch said the two have sought comfort from each other and “remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks”.
“We will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time,” he said.
The news comes after weeks of feverish speculation which saw the internet alight with rumours about her health and whereabouts and even a marriage break up.
The princess insisted she was “going to be okay” and has reassured her children and family on Friday evening.
Thanking the public for their messages of support, while recovering from surgery, she went on: “It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I’ve had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful.
“As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits.
“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.”
“We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we 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 am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not
alone.”
The Wales’ are also dealing with an investigation into three staff members at the London Clinic after they allegedly accessed Princess Catherine private medical records.
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