Cancer patients have sent sweet messages to Princess Kate following her shock announcement on Friday evening where she confirmed she was being treated for the disease.
The Princess, who pre-filmed the heartfelt message that was aired at 6pm on Friday, told cancer patients “you are not alone” as she spoke of her diagnosis.
The message from Kate was widely shared following the announcement, with an influx of well-wishes from fans as Kate starts preventative chemotherapy.
One cancer patient, using the X handle @Delblu76, wrote: “Princess Kate… Such a brave speech because your own diagnosis is always so hard to talk about – I know from my own experiences. Your words were wonderful. Hard as it is at times, keep fighting for all of us.”
Labour MP Chris Bryant also shared his experience, writing: “My very best wishes to the Princess of Wales. I know from my experience of melanoma that cancer is a bugger but science and medicine have made such advances that it needn’t inspire fear. One thing that doesn’t help is when people talk about ‘brave battles’. That’s not how it works.”
Another fan, under the username @Kevinfr9, wrote: “Do hope Princess of Wales has a speedy recovery from her cancer. I, from personal experience from me and my family know what she is going through.”
@Hiyapriya wrote: “I’m normally silent on the subject of the Royal Family but can I say I hope Kate will now finally be left alone after all the fuss over the silly photoshopping. As a fellow abdominal cancer survivor, all the zero-evidence theories have been nauseating to read.”
Michelle Mitchell, CEO of Cancer Research UK, 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.
“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.”
The Princess of Wales said she is feeling “well” in the video, filmed on Wednesday at Windsor Castle.
Kate underwent major abdominal surgery in January, with doctors initially believing her condition to be non-cancerous. But further tests found cancer had been present, with Kate now starting preventative chemotherapy.
Kensington Palace said they remain “wholly positive” that Kate will make a full recovery.
