Visits to the NHS website cancer page rose by 373% following the announcement that the Princess of Wales has been diagnosed with the disease. Kate's announcement came after swirling rumours about her health, exacerbated by the revelation of King Charles' cancer treatment. In her video message, the Princess of Wales disclosed her recent diagnosis after initially undergoing surgery for a non-cancerous condition. She emphasised her focus on her family's well-being and thanked supporters for their understanding during this emotional journey.
The royal family has traditionally been secretive about the health of its members. This secrecy dates back to King George VI's death in 1952 when his lung cancer diagnosis was only revealed posthumously. Queen Elizabeth II's declining public appearances were vaguely attributed to "episodic mobility problems" until her passing in 2022 at 96, officially from "old age”. Her successor, King Charles III, departed from tradition by announcing his benign enlarged prostate surgery in January, later revealing a cancer diagnosis in February. Similarly, Princess Kate's hospitalisation for abdominal surgery was announced traditionally, offering limited details.
Prince Harry and Meghan also extended their well wishes. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak affirmed the nation's support. In her video announcement, Kate said she and her husband had been doing everything “we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family,” which included taking time to recover from her major surgery to start treatment and “most importantly” to explain everything to their three children before going public with the news. The children are now away from school on their Easter holiday break. Balancing privacy and public roles is a challenge for royal officials, especially given Kate's high media visibility. Social media speculation surged, especially after Prince William's sudden withdrawal from a memorial service. Moreover, a digitally altered Mothering Sunday image of Kate and her children stirred controversy, highlighting the delicate balance between privacy and public scrutiny in the royal family.
The strength of character shown by the Princess of Wales amid unforeseen challenging times for the young family is something everyone in the community can learn from. Women are not often known to disclose any diseases they have, let alone anything as life-threatening as Cancer.
Following the release of the BBC Studios footage, some viewers around the world and social media users were quick to question why Kate's husband Prince William did not appear alongside her in the video. According to The Times, a royal source said: "This was her as a strong woman sharing an innately strong message to the nation. She didn't need anyone sitting next to her." They added of the Prince, 41: "He has been supporting her and the family in the background."
Princess of Wales cancer diagnosis prompts 373% increase in searches for NHS advice
New figures from NHS England show that in the 24 hours after the princess revealed she was undergoing treatment last week, there were 2,840 visits to the page on cancer. That is nearly 5 times as many as over the same period the previous week when there were 600 visits.
There was also a huge surge in visits to the NHS website’s cancer symptoms page following the release of the princess’s video message, with 4,172 visits in the 3 hours immediately afterwards – an average of 1 every 3 seconds. The page had 1,922 visits during the same timeframe a week earlier. Numbers visiting that page peaked straight after the announcement, with 1,678 visits to the symptoms page between 6 pm and 7 pm last Friday. The NHS website includes information on different forms of the disease, spotting early signs and types of treatment.
The NHS is seeing and treating record numbers of people for cancer, with almost 3 million people receiving potentially lifesaving cancer checks in the past year.
Sympathy and vigilance
While speaking to Asian Voice, the NHS and medical professionals have expressed sympathy and encouraged vigilance following the Princess of Wales' cancer announcement. Cancer Research UK emphasises hope and urges early detection for improved treatment outcomes.
Commenting on the announcement by the Princess of Wales, 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.”
Dr CR Chandeasekar, Consultant Orthopaedics/Sarcoma Surgeon LUHFT, Liverpool, UK told Asian Voice, “Diagnosis of cancer is a life-changing event. Though two out of three human beings will develop, cancer during their lifetime, the diagnosis still has a fearful stigma. However, the majority of the cavers are curable, especially when diagnosed early. Hence it’s important to acknowledge that, cancers can occur in any age group anywhere in the body and societal status does not prevent cancer, as shown by recent high-profile news. The unhealthy media interest and obsession with celebrities and royalty, intruding in their personal space, when they’re facing a cancer diagnosis, in the name of public interest is deplorable. However, we are thankful to those in a position of power and influence for sharing their challenges coping with a cancer diagnosis, and helping to raise awareness- cancer is a treatable condition, especially when diagnosed early. Asian diaspora needs to be vigilant to spot early symptoms and signs of cancer and seek diagnosis early. Cancer awareness saves lives.”
Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, Michelle Mitchell told the newsweekly, “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. 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.”
Prayers and support from across the globe
Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Prince William expressed gratitude for the global support following her cancer diagnosis while requesting privacy. The palace spokesperson highlighted their appreciation for the outpouring of kindness and emphasised the need for privacy during this challenging time. Updates on Princess Kate's condition won't be provided over the weekend to respect the family's space. Public figures, including King Charles III, and members of the royal family, have shown support.
The US President and First Lady shared a message praying for Kate's recovery. An Academy Award winner hailed Kate as a "pillar of grace" in a comment on social media. The "Die 4 Me" singer defended Kate's privacy rights amid speculation. She emphasised the unpredictability of public life and the need for understanding. The same celebrity had previously defended Kate from conspiracy theories. Another comment encouraged focusing on well-wishes for Kate and her family. Ivanka Trump expressed deep sadness at Kate's diagnosis, praising her resilience and grace. She condemned speculation surrounding Kate and offered prayers for her swift recovery and continued positive influence on others' lives.
Cancer doesn’t discriminate
In an earlier interview with Asian Voice this February, as King Charles III revealed his cancer diagnosis, Keval Sachdev, via SAHA UK, shared his cancer journey with the newsweekly stating that he was diagnosed with Aggressive Lymphoma in 2022, and underwent six months of chemotherapy. “Men face barriers in cancer awareness and early detection due to societal perceptions. My support network, including Leicester Royal Infirmary Hospital and SAHA, was crucial,” he said.
Dr Arjun Ghosh, a Consultant Cardiologist at UCLH and Barts Heart Centre working to grow cardio-oncology services had told us, “I believe there should be increased educational outreach efforts at community centres or community events to raise awareness about cancer screening and check-ups.”
Prasanna Sooriakumaran, a Professor and Chair of Urology, and Consultant Urological and Robotic Surgeon at Cleveland Clinic, London, spoke to us earlier and said, “I feel engaging Asian men with these “taboo” topics is key to raising awareness and saving lives.”
Doing its bit, on the occasion of golden jubilee celebrations, Asian Voice Gujarat Samachar and organised a special Zoom event on breast cancer awareness to mark the Ethnic Minorities Cancer Awareness Month (EMCAM) which was attended by prominent community leaders and doctors from the UK and India. During the event, one of our speakers, Dr Toral Gathani, MD MEd FRCS, Senior Clinical Research Fellow and Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon at Oxford University said, “We have very good and successful medical treatments available. The main treatment will be an operation to remove the cancer and some normal tissue around and to take one or two lymph nodes from under the arm. For most people, this operation will take place in one day, and the recovery is very quick. Other treatments that we use for breast cancer include radiotherapy, which is an x-ray treatment that is given to the breast and the lymph nodes under the arm. We also have drug treatments; the most common ones are tablets that people often take for up to five years.”
Women in the community doing their bit to spread cancer awareness
The Fashion Brunch, curated by Anisha Vasani, returned on March 8th, celebrating women of diverse backgrounds and challenged differences. This year, it emphasised inclusivity with the theme 'inspire inclusion'. The runway featured ten brave cancer survivors showcasing designs by Nikaza Asian Couture and Deesh London, sharing their powerful stories of resilience. Notable among them was Kreena Dhiman, a breast cancer survivor who founded South Asian Supernovas to close the cancer care gap. Singer Veronica Mehta, another survivor, highlighted the event's significance in overcoming trauma. Anisha Vasani aimed to uplift women, showcasing their strength and grace, and promoting empowerment beyond beauty norms. Held at Courtyard by Marriott, London, the event partnered with RecommendAsian, advocating for women's support and empowerment. Anticipating 300-350 attendees, it promised a grand celebration of liberty, recognition, and empowerment. Anila Dhami, ITV and Channel 5 News Presenter, lauded its impact, reflecting the values of International Women’s Day. The Fashion Brunch continued to evolve as a platform for networking, storytelling, and empowerment, embodying the spirit of female strength and resilience.
In the wake of Kate Middleton's unexpected cancer diagnosis, a global health concern has surfaced, highlighting a disturbing increase in cancer cases among individuals under the age of 50. Scientists and medical professionals worldwide are urgently investigating the causes behind what has been described as an 'epidemic' of young-onset cancers. This rising trend has become more pronounced and alarming, especially with high-profile cases like that of the Princess of Wales bringing significant attention to the issue.
Meanwhile, Kate is being compared to Lady Diana. Her charm, grace, fashion sense, and audacious nature to fight for survival come what may, is also what Kate reflects. Celebrating her courage, King Charles has said he was “so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did” and has “remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks”, after they spent time in hospital together.
