Younger patients can tolerate higher higher doses of chemotherapy, experts have said.
Kate Middleton announced yesterday that she is undergoing a course of preventive chemotherapy, following a surgery in January which revealed the presence of cancerous cells.
The aim is that this process, also known as adjuvant chemotherapy, will stop cancer coming back once the main tumour has been removed from the body.
Cancer specialist at the University of Birmingham, Professor Andrew Beggs described the treatment ‘a bit like mopping a floor with bleach when you’ve spilt something on it, chemotherapy kills any spilt cells’.
But he added some hope that ‘young people also better tolerate higher doses of chemotherapy and so can be given stronger regimens that are more likely to kill any left-over cells.’
William with his three children shared in December 2020. The aim is that the treatment, also known as adjuvant chemotherapy, will stop cancer coming back once the main tumour has been removed from the body
The Princess of Wales said her family (pictured together on December 25) ‘need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment’
Approximately 375,000 cases of cancer are spotted in the UK each year, with 167,000 patients also dying from the disease per annum.
Survival rates vary significantly by type of cancer, but in general around 50 per cent of cancer patients will be alive 10-years after their diagnosis.
Lawrence Young, professor of molecular oncology at the University of Warwick, has said that contracting the disease when you are young like Kate, 42, means that your survival chance is higher.
He added that because Kate’s cancer was found by chance, while undergoing surgery for another condition it is likely to be in the early stages.
‘[The discovery] is often associated with the tumour being detected at an early stage when subsequent chemotherapy is much more effective,’ he said.
Cancer survival rates have doubled over the last 50 years, according to data published by Cancer Research UK (CRUK).
However Dr Shivan Sivakumar, an associate professor in oncology at the University of Birmingham, has warned of the rise in people under the age of fifty being diagnosed with the disease.
The Royal Family also revealed in February that King Charles had been diagnosed with a form of cancer
Kensington Palace has said it will not be sharing details of what kind of cancer the princess has, or what stage of cancer it is and has asked people not to speculate
‘There is an epidemic currently of young people getting cancer [under fifties]. The cause of this is unknown, but we are seeing more patients with abdominal cancers.’
Kensington Palace has said it will not be sharing details of what kind of cancer the princess has, or what stage of cancer it is and has asked people not to speculate.
It is understood that the King — who himself was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year — and the Queen have both been informed of the news.
Potential symptoms of cancer are specific to the type of disease, and experts say the most important thing is to get any new or changed aspect of your body checked out by a GP.
Some of the most common signs include a cough that lasts for over three weeks, a change in bowel habits or bloating for the same period, a new lump on the body, unexplained bleeding or weight loss, yellowing of the skin, and continuously feeling tired and unwell.
Experts and charities have praised her decision to speak out, saying it will encourage others to seek help for their own potential cancer symptoms.
NHS chief executive, Amanda Pritchard, said: ‘On behalf of the NHS, I’m really sorry to hear this shocking news.
‘Our thoughts are with the Princess of Wales and the Royal Family, especially while her treatment continues.
‘We know how difficult a diagnosis and treatment journey can be for patients and their families.
‘Speaking out about it is really brave and it can help others to get worrying signs and symptoms checked.
‘If you’re worried about cancer, the NHS website has more information.’
Meanwhile, Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, Michelle Mitchell, said: ‘On behalf of everyone at Cancer Research UK, I wish Her Royal Highness a full, swift recovery and return to good health.
‘During this difficult time, it’s important that the Princess is given the time and space to focus on her treatment and that we respect the family’s privacy.
‘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.
‘Thanks to research there is hope – cancer survival has doubled in the last 50 years.’
She added: ‘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.
‘It probably won’t be cancer. But if it is, spotting it at an early stage means treatment is more likely to be successful.’