From the BBC:
“Kate reveals she is in
remission from cancer”
The Princess of Wales has
revealed she is in remission from cancer after making an emotional return to
the hospital where she received treatment. In a message posted on social media,
Catherine spoke of her "relief" and said she remained "focused
on recovery". "As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will
know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal. I am however looking forward to
a fulfilling year ahead," the princess wrote in the post, which she signed
off as "C". Earlier, on a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in west
London, Catherine thanked staff and empathised with cancer patients about the
"tough" treatment but reassured them there was "light at the end
of that tunnel".
It is the first time it has been
confirmed the princess is in remission from cancer. She announced her diagnosis
last March before she revealed in September she had completed her chemotherapy,
saying: "Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus." Cancer
Research UK says the word "remission" means that after treatment
there is no sign of the cancer. The charity says some cancers can come back so
doctors tend to use the word remission not "cure". In her message on
social media, Catherine thanked the Royal Marsden Hospital for its
"exceptional" care and for looking after her "so well". She
added: "My heartfelt thanks goes to all those who have quietly walked
alongside William and me as we have navigated everything. We couldn't have
asked for more."
'It's really tough' On
Tuesday morning, the princess had spoken to cancer patients at the Royal
Marsden with the empathy of her own first-hand experiences, in her most
significant solo royal engagement since her treatment ended. Catherine
told a woman who was having chemotherapy: "It's really tough... It's such
a shock... Everyone said to me, 'please keep a positive mindset, it makes such
a difference'." Arriving as a visitor now rather than as a patient,
the princess sympathised with those undergoing treatment - and described how
she was still feeling the long-term effects. "You think the
treatment has finished and you can crack on and get back to normal, but that's
still a real challenge," she said. "The words totally
disappear. And understanding that as a patient - yes, there are side effects
around treatment, but actually there are more long-term side effects."
Asked how she was feeling,
Catherine said she was doing well, but added: "Sometimes from the outside
we all think you've finished treatment and you go back to things. But it's hard
to get back to normal." The princess hugged Tina Adumou, who broke down in
tears as she told how her 19-year-old daughter is in the intensive care unit. Putting
an arm around her, Catherine looked emotional and told her she was in the best
possible place. The princess said: "I'm sorry. I wish there was more I
could do to help. I wanted to come and show my support for the amazing work
that's going on here, and for those who are going through treatment and having
such a hard time." Catherine added: "Are you okay? Yes?", then
said, smiling: "There is light at the end of that tunnel. Very nice to
meet you and best of luck. You are in the best of hands."
The princess's visit was the
first time it had been disclosed that the Royal Marsden was the hospital where
she had cancer treatment. It is almost a year since the princess's health
problems were first revealed - with an announcement last January that she had
undergone abdominal surgery. Catherine then announced in a video statement in
March that she was in h early stages of receiving cancer treatment - and in
September released a video saying that her chemotherapy had ended. Since the
end of her treatment she has gradually returned to more public events,
including Remembrance Sunday and her Christmas carol concert at Westminster
Abbey, which were seen as positive signs of her recovery.
The princess has now made her
first big engagement of 2025 - a return to the hospital where she was treated,
going to see those who helped her at the Royal Marsden, which specialises in
cancer treatment and research. Catherine has become the hospital's joint royal
patron, with Prince William already a patron. Diana, Princess of Wales, had
been a previous royal patron. The Royal Marsden, which treats 59,000 patients
each year, was founded as a specialist cancer hospital in 1851.
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^ This is great to hear. ^
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