KATE BREAKS SILENCE
THE PRINCESS OF WALES ANNOUNCES SHE IS UNDERGOING TREATMENT FOR CANCER
The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, confirmed on March 22 that she is undergoing cancer treatment after stomach surgery in January, according to AP report. The video message, was released on Friday amid continuous social media speculation following the princess' illness in January for unexplained stomach surgery.
In the message, Kate appealed for “time, space and privacy” during her treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer, which was detected post-surgery, as mentioned in the report. “I am doing well,” she affirmed in the video, further stating, “I am becoming stronger each day by concentrating on activities aiding my recovery.” Following her own cancer diagnosis, brave Kate informs cancer patients that they are not alone. The example she sets with her message will benefit so many people. She said, “At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.”
“PREVENTATIVE” CHEMOTHERAPY
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 and was undergoing “preventative” chemotherapy. “Preventive chemotherapy is not defined in medical terms. Dr Narender Kumar Thota, HOD & Consultant, Hemato Oncologist & Stem CELL/BMT Bone Marrow Transplant Specialist, KIMS Hospitals, believes she may be referring to adjuvant chemotherapy.
King Charles released a statement via Buckingham Palace, stating: “His Majesty is ‘so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did’. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were said to have spoken with the Prince and Princess of Wales ‘privately’ yesterday night. Harry and Meghan Markle also released a statement: “We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.”
“During surgery on any patient, the surgeon removes the visible tumour. However, in cancer, as the tumour grows, it spreads as a micrometastatic disease in the body, which can be in the blood or in other organs that have already spread in the microscopic phase before surgery. So these are the cells present in different sections of the body. So the remaining cells, which are not visible to surgeon’s eyes duri n g surgery, continue to multiply in various parts of the body. These cells eventually show up as metastases or recurrences years after the initial surgery.” As we consider adjuvant chemotherapy, these are the injection-based chemotherapies. Other adjuvant sorts of chemotherapies include immunotherapy and oral tablets such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which we refer to as medical terms. According to Dr Narender Kumar Thota, adjuvant chemotherapy helps cure early-stage cancers by almost 80 to 90 percent.
A lot depends on the age of the child, according to says Dr Era Dutta, consultant psychologist, TEDX speaker, and founder of Mind Wellness. “Sensitivity and simplicity with honesty are keys. Age 6 and upward have better concepts of illness and can be spoken about how they love them, and conversation has to be more honest and open. Children are perceptive, and they notice changes. Tell them you are working on being healthy. Share your emotions with them,” says Dr Era.
DR PRERNA KOHLI lists out a few points that stand out about her approach:
PRIORITISING PRIVACY AND FAMILY SUPPORT:
Kate and William, have valued privacy and family support throughout the process. They provided their family with a sense of security and stability by managing the situation privately.
APPROPRIATE COMMUNICATION: Kate highlighted the need of describing the problem to her children in terms that were appropriate for their age and knowledge.
REASSURANCE AND POSITIVITY: Kate’s assurance to her children that she is “well and getting stronger every day” demonstrates a positive attitude and inspires optimism in her family.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SUPPORT:
Kate thanked William, for his support, as well as the compassion of others. This appreciation of assistance emphasises the value of community and family in tough times.