Royal Family News
Princess Catherine, the wife of Prince William, has announced that her cancer is in remission after undergoing chemotherapy. The 40-year-old royal revealed the news on Instagram, saying she felt “really tough” during treatment but was relieved to be in a better place.
But what does it mean to be in remission from cancer? In simple terms, it means there’s no evidence of cancer in blood tests or scans. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean the cancer is gone for good. According to experts, even when a cancer appears cured after five years, it may still recur.
“It’s really scary,” said Dr. Kimmie Ng, associate chief of the division of gastrointestinal oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. “The amount of uncertainty is very hard.” Ongoing surveillance is crucial to prevent recurrence, but it can be emotionally challenging for patients.
For example, ovarian cancer patients often face a 75-80% risk of recurrence within 14-16 months after treatment, according to Dr. Elena Ratner, a gynecologic oncologist at the Yale Cancer Center. Patients may need to come back every three months for CT scans, which can make their lives feel uncertain and fragile.
Despite these challenges, patients like those seen by Dr. Ratner continue to show remarkable strength and resilience. “It’s awful, yet I am amazed every day by their strength,” she said. As Princess Catherine begins her recovery journey, her experience serves as a reminder of the complexities and nuances of cancer treatment.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/14/health/princess-kate-middleton-cancer-remission.html