Current:Home > BackWhat is known about Kate’s cancer diagnosis-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
What is known about Kate’s cancer diagnosis
View Date:2024-12-23 23:09:14
Kate, the Princess of Wales, has disclosed that she has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy — though in a video announcement Friday, she did not say what kind of cancer or reveal details of her treatment.
Here’s what is known:
What kind of surgery did Kate have?
Kate had what was described as abdominal surgery on Jan. 16. The news wasn’t announced until the next day, when Kensington Palace revealed that Kate was recovering from a planned operation.
At the time, officials said her condition wasn’t cancerous but did not specify what kind of surgery, saying only that it was successful.
When was Kate’s cancer found?
During the video announcement Friday, Kate said: “Tests after the operation found cancer had been present,” and that she was in the early stages of treatment.
Kate, the Princess of Wales, said she is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. Here’s what you need to know.
- Kate has been out of view from the media, leading to weeks of speculation and gossip before the announcement.
- The news is another shock for the royal family since the news last month that King Charles III was being treated for an unspecified type of cancer.
- Catch up on how the news unfolded — as it happened — with AP’s live coverage.
- The timeline: A look at recent events that have fueled rumors relating to the royal family.
She didn’t say what kind of cancer was found, nor did she give details of her chemotherapy. The statement from Kensington Palace said Kate found out about the cancer after post-surgery tests were done.
Is it unusual to find cancer after surgery?
While it’s rare to find cancer after surgery for a noncancerous problem, it does happen in about 4% of such surgeries, said 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.
Is it unusual to find cancer in someone so young?
Yes, cancer is rare in young adults. But in developed countries, rates of some cancers are rising among younger adults. Kate is 42.
“We hate it when young people get cancer, but at the same time, they are the ones that recover best,” Fong said.
What kind of treatment is Kate having?
The palace statement said no details would be provided about her cancer or her treatment, other than 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 kill any stray cancer cells and to prevent the cancer from coming back. Treatments have evolved, and when chemo is used now, it’s sometimes for shorter periods or lower doses than it once was.
What are the side effects of chemotherapy?
Fatigue, nausea, tingling in the hands and feet, and sometimes hair loss are side effects of chemotherapy, said Dr. Monica Avila of Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. But there are medications for improving these side effects. And 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.
How long will Kate’s treatment last?
The palace statement said that will be up to 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.
veryGood! (292)
Related
- Judge hears case over Montana rule blocking trans residents from changing sex on birth certificate
- ESPN tabs Mike Greenberg as Sam Ponder's replacement for 'NFL Sunday Countdown' show
- Experts puzzle over why Bayesian yacht sank. Was it a 'black swan event'?
- Beware of these potential fantasy football busts, starting with Texans WR Stefon Diggs
- A crowd of strangers brought 613 cakes and then set out to eat them
- Incumbents beat DeSantis-backed candidates in Florida school board race
- Government: U.S. economy added 818,000 fewer jobs than first reported in year that ended in March
- She didn’t see her Black heritage in crossword puzzles. So she started publishing her own
- FanDuel Sports Network regional channels will be available as add-on subscription on Prime Video
- Jill Duggar Gives Inside Look at Jana Duggar's Wedding to Stephen Wissmann
Ranking
- NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Bobby Allison dies at 86
- Jennifer Lopez files to divorce Ben Affleck on second wedding anniversary
- Bears almost made trade for Matthew Judon; 'Hard Knocks' showcases near-deal
- Mega Millions winning numbers for August 20 drawing: Jackpot climbs to $527 million
- US Election Darkens the Door of COP29 as It Opens in Azerbaijan
- Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck Split: Look Back at Their Great Love Story
- The type of Aventon e-bike you should get, based on your riding style
- The type of Aventon e-bike you should get, based on your riding style
Recommendation
-
A crowd of strangers brought 613 cakes and then set out to eat them
-
Taylor Swift Shares Eras Tour Backstage Footage in I Can Do It With a Broken Heart Music Video
-
Propane blast levels Pennsylvania home, kills woman and injures man
-
Beloved 80-year-old dog walker killed in carjacking while defending her dogs
-
California teen pleads guilty in Florida to making hundreds of ‘swatting’ calls across the US
-
Los Angeles FC vs. Colorado Rapids Leagues Cup semifinal: How to watch Wednesday's game
-
Democrats set their convention roll call to a soundtrack. Here’s how each song fits each state
-
Arrests in fatal Texas smuggling attempt climb 2 years after 53 migrants died in tractor trailer