Kate, Princess of Wales, has announced that she has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing preventive chemotherapy.
The update from the 42-year-old royal comes after weeks of speculation about her health and recovery after a „difficult few months.“
In a personal video message released by Kensington Palace, a frail-looking Duchess Kate said that a „major“ abdominal surgery scheduled for January had been „successful“ and that her condition was initially described as critical. It was believed to be cancerous, he said.
In a video message, Duchess Kate said: „Following tests after surgery revealed the presence of cancer. As a result, the medical team advised her to undergo preventive chemotherapy and she is currently in the early stages of treatment.“
„Of course this was a huge shock. William and I have been doing everything we can to personally handle and manage this for our young family… Recovering from major surgery 'It took me a while to recover, but most importantly, it took me a while to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in the proper way and reassure them that I was okay. I mean, it was,” she said.
„As I told them, I get better and stronger every day by focusing on things that help heal my mind, body, and spirit,“ she added on a positive note.
She said having William by her side was a „huge source of comfort and reassurance“ and added: „It means a lot to both of us, as well as the love, support and kindness that so many of you have shown us. ” he added. „To everyone facing this disease in any way, please don't lose faith or lose hope. You are not alone,“ she added.
Kensington Palace said the video message was filmed on Wednesday by BBC Studios, the BBC's production arm.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement that the Princess of Wales had shown „tremendous courage“ and wished her a „speedy recovery“.
Here's what we know:
Duchess Kate underwent what is believed to be abdominal surgery on January 16th. The news was not announced until the following day, when Kensington Palace revealed that Kate was recovering from a scheduled operation.
At the time, officials said her condition was not cancerous, but they did not say what kind of surgery she underwent, only that it was successful.
Kensington Palace said in a statement that the Duchess of Cambridge learned she had cancer after undergoing tests after surgery.
Cancer is rarely found after surgery for non-cancerous conditions, but cancer is found in about 4% of these surgeries, said Dr. Yuman Fung, a surgeon at City of Hope Cancer Center in Southern California. It is said that
A palace statement said no further details about her cancer or treatment would be disclosed, other than that she began treatment in late February.
„We will no longer share personal medical information. The Princess has the right to medical privacy, as we all do,“ the statement said.
After successful surgery, chemotherapy is often given to kill stray cancer cells and prevent the cancer from coming back. Treatments are evolving, and if chemotherapy is used now, it may be used for a shorter period of time or at lower doses than in the past.
Fatigue, nausea, tingling in the hands and feet, and sometimes hair loss are side effects of chemotherapy, says Dr. Monica Avila of Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. However, there are drugs that can improve these side effects. Avila also said that a cold cap that cools the scalp can help prevent hair loss.
„It can take weeks to a month or two for patients to recover from these effects,“ Avila said. Numbness and tingling can take a while to go away, she says.
A palace statement said it was up to her doctors. „The Princess is currently recovering,“ the statement said.