Cancer charities have praised the Princess of Wales for her “brave” decision to speak out about her cancer diagnosis as a way to encourage others to get their symptoms checked.

In a video message released on Friday, Catherine, 42, spoke of how her condition was discovered after she underwent abdominal surgery in January. In the weeks that followed her procedure, wild rumours flew around her absence and silence – but she said she and her husband, Prince William, had needed time to explain the situation to their three children, George, 10, Charlotte, eight, and Louis, five.

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Princess of Wales reveals she has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy – video

“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,” she said.

“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 OK.”

Catherine’s announcement prompted the cancer charity Maggie’s to post tips on how to talk to young children about cancer.

“We are incredibly sorry to hear the Princess of Wales’s news and our thoughts are with her,” said Dame Laura Lee, Maggie’s chief executive. “We also know how challenging and worrying a cancer diagnosis can be for the whole family, especially with young children, and our thoughts are with them all.”

Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, Michelle Mitchell, said high-profile cancer cases such as the princess’s can help others to seek help early, when “treatment is more likely to be successful”.

“Nearly one in two of us will develop cancer during our lifetimes, but many more are affected when someone they love is diagnosed with cancer,” she said. “High-profile cancer cases often act as a prompt to encourage people to find out more or think about their own health. If people spot something that’s not normal for them or isn’t going away, they should check with their GP.”

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About 393,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with cancer each year, according to Macmillan Cancer Support.

“We hear from people all over the country, every day going through the experience the princess has described, and our thoughts are also with His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and their children,” the charity said. “Many families will be sending solidarity to them.”

Amanda Pritchard, the chief executive of the NHS, said: “We know how difficult a diagnosis and treatment journey can be for patients and their families. Speaking out is really brave and can help others to get worrying symptoms checked.”