What we know so far about Kate Middleton's cancer diagnosis

2024-03-26 12:57:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Kate Middleton

The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton revealed a few days ago that she has been diagnosed with cancer and is in the early stages of treatment.

In a video message released on Friday, Kate said the diagnosis came after she underwent abdominal surgery in January. Her condition was initially thought to be non-cancerous, but subsequent tests "revealed that cancer was present," she said.

Kate Middleton, just 42, has largely been out of the public eye since her surgery in January, sparking speculation about her health.

Her diagnosis came after King Charles III was also diagnosed with cancer following a procedure for an enlarged prostate.

What we know so far

Kate released a video on Friday afternoon to give an update on her health, two months after stepping out of public life temporarily following her initial treatment.

"In January, I had major abdominal surgery in London and at the time my condition was thought to be non-cancerous," said Kate, who is married to the heir to the British throne, Prince William.

"The operation was successful. However, tests after the operation revealed that the cancer was present. My medical team therefore advised me to undergo a course of preventive chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment. She said her diagnosis had been a "shock" and that she and William have done everything they can to process and manage this privately for the sake of their new family.

Kate and William have three children: Prince George, 10; Princess Charlotte, 8; and Prince Louis, 5.

A royal source told CNN that Kate began chemotherapy at the end of February and that she and William had waited until now to reveal her condition.

Kate did not say what type of cancer she was diagnosed with. Preventive chemotherapy is often used after surgery as an "adjuvant" therapy to reduce the chances of the cancer coming back, Dr. Karen Knudsen, chief executive of the American Cancer Society.

When was Kate Middleton first hospitalized?

Kensington Palace announced on January 17 that the princess would spend two weeks recovering in hospital after successfully undergoing planned abdominal surgery.

It was not clear what the operation was for, but the palace said Kate was unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter, which this year falls on March 31.

Kate left the London Clinic, a private hospital near Regent's Park in the center of the UK capital - on January 29. She returned home to Windsor, west London, to continue her recovery.

Charles was discharged from the same private hospital on the same day as Kate, following treatment for an enlarged prostate. Buckingham Palace announced on February 6 that he had been diagnosed with cancer.

What happened to Kate Middleton after leaving the hospital?

The health and location of the suit became the subject of speculation, despite the palace reiterating that it had "made clear in January the timelines for the Princess's recovery".

Pricesha was first seen in public earlier this month after appearing in Windsor wearing dark sunglasses and sitting in the passenger seat of a car driven by her mother, Carole Middleton.

Why is there an investigation involving the hospital?

The UK's data watchdog said earlier this week it was "evaluating" reports that a staff member at the London Clinic allegedly tried to access Kate Middleton's private medical records.

The Daily Mirror tabloid reported that the hospital had launched an investigation into claims that the princess's confidentiality had been breached.

In a statement, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), which is the UK's independent data regulator, confirmed it had "received a breach report and is assessing the information provided".

The London Clinic said Wednesday that "all appropriate investigative, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken."/ CNA