By CARLA K. JOHNSON (AP Medical Writer)
The Princess of Wales, Kate, has mentioned that she has cancer and is having chemotherapy. However, in a video announcement on Friday, she did not say what type of cancer she has or provide details about her treatment.
Here’s what is known:
Kate had abdominal surgery on Jan. 16, which was not made public until the following day when Kensington Palace disclosed that she was recovering from a planned procedure.
At the time, officials stated that her condition wasn't cancerous but did not specify the type of surgery, only mentioning that it was successful.
During the video announcement on Friday, Kate stated, “Tests after the operation found cancer had been present,” and that she was in the early stages of treatment.
She did not specify the type of cancer found, and did not provide details of her chemotherapy. The statement from Kensington Palace mentioned that Kate learned about the cancer after post-surgery tests were conducted.
Although it's unusual to find cancer after surgery for a noncancerous problem, it does occur in about 4% of such surgeries, according to Dr. Yuman Fong, a surgeon at City of Hope cancer center in Southern California.
“That 4% figure represents someone who’s going to the operating room for what is thought to be benign disease” such as a procedure to remove the gallbladder or ovarian cysts, Fong said.
Yes, cancer is rare in young adults. But in developed countries, rates of some cancers are rising among younger adults. Kate is 42.
“We dislike it when young people get cancer, but at the same time, they are the ones that recover best,” Fong said.
The palace statement mentioned that no details will be provided about her cancer or her treatment, except that she started it in late February.
“We will not be sharing any further private medical information. The Princess has a right to medical privacy as we all do,” the statement said.
After successful surgery, chemotherapy is often used to help eliminate any stray cancer cells and to prevent the cancer from returning. Treatments have advanced, and when chemo is used now, it’s sometimes for shorter periods or lower doses than in the past.
Fatigue, nausea, tingling in the hands and feet, and sometimes hair loss are side effects of chemotherapy, according to Dr. Monica Avila of Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. However, there are medications for improving these side effects. Additionally, cold caps that cool the scalp can prevent hair loss, Avila said.
“A patient can take anywhere from a few weeks to a month or two to recover from those effects,” Avila said. Numbness and tingling can take longer to disappear, she said.
The palace statement mentioned that her recovery timeline will be determined by her doctors. “The princess is now on a recovery pathway,” the statement said.
___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
