Catherine, Princess of Wales, revealed Friday that she was diagnosed with cancer after undergoing major abdominal surgery in January and said she has begun chemotherapy.
We don’t know what kind of cancer Catherine has
The princess said in a recorded message that her abdominal surgery proved successful and that, initially, it was believed her condition was not cancerous. “However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present,” Catherine said in a statement posted on X and broadcast on the BBC.
Catherine did not provide details about the type of cancer she has or how advanced it is.
The princess said in a recorded message that her abdominal surgery proved successful and that, initially, it was believed her condition was not cancerous. “However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present,” Catherine said in a statement posted on X and broadcast on the BBC.
Catherine did not provide details about the type of cancer she has or how advanced it is.
The princess is receiving chemotherapy
The 42-year-old Catherine described her treatment as “preventative chemotherapy” and said she is in the early stages of that treatment.
According to the National Cancer Institute, chemotherapy is employed to “cure cancer, lessen the chance it will return, or stop or slow its growth.” It also is used to ease cancer symptoms by killing some of the cancer cells.
Although Catherine referred to her treatment as “preventative chemotherapy,” doctors do not typically use that term to describe what the princess received. It is likely that what she is receiving is adjuvant therapy, which the Mayo Clinic describes as being “often used after primary treatments, such as surgery, to lessen the chance of your cancer coming back.”
The 42-year-old Catherine described her treatment as “preventative chemotherapy” and said she is in the early stages of that treatment.
According to the National Cancer Institute, chemotherapy is employed to “cure cancer, lessen the chance it will return, or stop or slow its growth.” It also is used to ease cancer symptoms by killing some of the cancer cells.
Although Catherine referred to her treatment as “preventative chemotherapy,” doctors do not typically use that term to describe what the princess received. It is likely that what she is receiving is adjuvant therapy, which the Mayo Clinic describes as being “often used after primary treatments, such as surgery, to lessen the chance of your cancer coming back.”
It’s unclear how long the treatment will last
The princess said only that she was in the early stage of chemotherapy treatments. Chemotherapy can be received in several forms, according to the NCI. Those include oral medications (pills, capsules or liquids). Patients also receive chemotherapy through intravenous lines and injections, among other forms.
The American Cancer Society notes that while it’s vital to start treating some cancers immediately, “that’s not always the case. Planning cancer treatment can be complex and might take some time, depending on the type and stage of your cancer.”
The princess said only that she was in the early stage of chemotherapy treatments. Chemotherapy can be received in several forms, according to the NCI. Those include oral medications (pills, capsules or liquids). Patients also receive chemotherapy through intravenous lines and injections, among other forms.
The American Cancer Society notes that while it’s vital to start treating some cancers immediately, “that’s not always the case. Planning cancer treatment can be complex and might take some time, depending on the type and stage of your cancer.”
Catherine described herself as feeling well
In her recorded statement, the princess said she is “getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal, in my mind, body and spirits.” Catherine said she is deriving comfort from her husband, Prince William, and from her three children.
In her recorded statement, the princess said she is “getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal, in my mind, body and spirits.” Catherine said she is deriving comfort from her husband, Prince William, and from her three children.
She isn’t the only member of the British royal family contending with a cancer diagnosis
King Charles III, Catherine’s father-in-law, announced in February that he had been diagnosed with cancer and was receiving treatment. Like Catherine, Charles did not disclose the kind of cancer he has.
The 75-year-old monarch was found to have cancer as he underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate.
King Charles III, Catherine’s father-in-law, announced in February that he had been diagnosed with cancer and was receiving treatment. Like Catherine, Charles did not disclose the kind of cancer he has.
The 75-year-old monarch was found to have cancer as he underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate.
Cancer is rising among young people
The global incidence of cancers among younger people increased by nearly 80 percent between 1990 and 2019, according to a study published in BMJ Oncology. In the United States, one study from the American Cancer Society found that detections of six of 12 cancers related to obesity — including colorectal, uterine, gallbladder, kidney and pancreatic — jumped significantly in young adults between 1995 and 2014, with steeper rises in successively younger generations.
Colorectal cancer is one of the drivers of this trend. In the past three decades, incidence of the disease has risen significantly among people younger than 50, many of whom have no obvious risk factors, such as having a genetic predisposition. No one knows why.
A previous version of this article said a study on cancers among younger people covered the period 2010 to 2019. It was from 1990 to 2019. This version has been corrected.
The global incidence of cancers among younger people increased by nearly 80 percent between 1990 and 2019, according to a study published in BMJ Oncology. In the United States, one study from the American Cancer Society found that detections of six of 12 cancers related to obesity — including colorectal, uterine, gallbladder, kidney and pancreatic — jumped significantly in young adults between 1995 and 2014, with steeper rises in successively younger generations.
Colorectal cancer is one of the drivers of this trend. In the past three decades, incidence of the disease has risen significantly among people younger than 50, many of whom have no obvious risk factors, such as having a genetic predisposition. No one knows why.
A previous version of this article said a study on cancers among younger people covered the period 2010 to 2019. It was from 1990 to 2019. This version has been corrected.