What do we know about Kate's cancer treatment?

  • Published
Catherine, Princess of Wales seen on 15 November 2023Image source, Getty Images

Catherine, Princess of Wales, says she is still having preventative chemotherapy for cancer which was found after major abdominal surgery in January.

She says she is making good progress, but has "good days and bad days" on it.

"On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well," she said in a statement.

She thanked people for their continued understanding and for sharing their own cancer stories.

"I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty," she said, adding that she was listening to her body and allowing herself "much-needed time to heal".

What is preventative chemotherapy?

The treatment is a course of anti-cancer drugs designed to get rid of any remaining cancer cells that may be present.

It reduces the chance of a cancer growing or coming back.

How long will the princess be on it?

Kensington Palace has not released any more details about the treatment, including how long the princess might need it for.

Doctors decide how much to give, depending on the type of cancer.

Catherine's statement says: "My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months."

What type of cancer does the princess have?

Kensington Palace has not said what type of cancer she has.

A spokesperson said: "We will not be sharing any further private medical information. The princess has a right to medical privacy, as we all do."

When was the cancer found?

The princess had surgery in January. The palace did not disclose details at the time, but said the procedure was planned and her condition was "not cancer-related".

Tests carried out after the operation found cancer had been present.

How did doctors find the cancer?

Commonly, tissue removed during surgery is sent to the lab for analysis and to see what cells are there.

After the princess' surgery, which Kensington Palace has said was successful, experts revealed cancer had been present.

Is she getting treatment privately or on the NHS?

Catherine's original operation took place at the London Clinic, a private facility.

The Palace is not commenting on where she is now receiving care. In an earlier video message Catherine thanked the "fantastic medical team" who have been treating her.

What is cancer?

Cancer occurs when cells in a specific part of the body divide in an uncontrolled way.

Untreated, these cells can potentially spread to other tissues in the body, including organs, which is known as secondary or metastatic cancer.

How many people get cancer?

In the UK, one in two people develop some kind of cancer during their lifetime.

There are more than 200 different types of cancer - the most common ones in the UK are breast, lung, prostate and bowel, according to the NHS UK website, external.

Each cancer is diagnosed and treated in a particular way.

Anyone can develop cancer, but the risk goes up the older we become, because there is more time for cell damage to build up.

Most cases of cancer are in people aged 50 and over. In the UK, a third of all cases are in people aged 75 and over, external.

Survival from cancer has doubled in the last 50 years.

Media caption,

How to tell your child you have cancer

What should you do if you think you have cancer?

If you notice something that isn't normal for you, see a doctor.

That might include:

  • unexplained bleeding or pain

  • an unusual lump or swelling

  • unexplained tiredness and weight loss

  • a persistent cough

The symptoms you are experiencing may not be cancer, but it is important to get checked.

Finding cancer early can often make it easier to treat.

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