Kate, Princess of Wales, announced that cancer was discovered during surgery and that she underwent preventive chemotherapy

London — Catherine, Princess of Wales, declared in Video message It was released Friday that the cancer was discovered during January Abdominal surgery She is undergoing preventive chemotherapy on the advice of her medical team. The announcement came after months of widespread speculation about the 42-year-old princess's health and well-being Controversy over processed images Issued by Kensington Palace in London.

Kate said the cancer was discovered during tests carried out afterwards Her surgery, which went well. She did not mention the type of cancer or share additional details about her diagnosis.

“This has of course been a huge shock, and William and I are doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our little family,” Kate said in the video message. “As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken time to recover from major surgery to begin my treatment. But more importantly, it has taken us time to somehow explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis. This is convenient for them, and to reassure them that I will be Okay”.

Kensington Palace said her video message was filmed by BBC Studios in Windsor on Wednesday. In it, Kate said she was in the “early stages” of her chemotherapy.

“I'm doing well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal, in my mind, body and spirit,” Kate said in the video. “Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness shown by so many of you. It means a lot to us.”

She said she will continue to take the time and space she needs to undergo treatment and recover, and asked the public for understanding.

“My work has always brought me a deep sense of happiness and I look forward to returning when I am able to, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery. At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected. “I have been touched by cancer. To anyone facing this disease, in any way, please do not lose faith or hope. you are not alone”.

King Charles said he was “very proud of Catherine for having the courage to speak out as she did,” according to a statement from Buckingham Palace. He said he had been in “closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law over the past weeks.”

What do we know about Kate's cancer diagnosis?

Kate did not specify what type of cancer she was diagnosed with, but CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. John Lubbock said it appeared Kate's medical team caught the cancer early.

“You always want to detect cancer in the early stages,” LaPook said. “They went there to do whatever procedure they were going to do, and they knew it was going to be a long recovery, and there, probably when they were able to get a closer look, they didn't see any evidence of that.” cancer. And then just when I think there might have been a biopsy, a surgical biopsy, they said, “Oh, there's some cancer here.” “Since you always want to catch cancer in its early stages, whatever the type of cancer, this was relatively good news for me.”

“Prophylactic” chemotherapy means treatment that “prevents the growth of microscopic cancer cells,” Lubbock said.

Kate's announcement came after increasing public speculation about her health, which has so far been met with silence from the palace.

In January, Kensington Palace announced that she had undergone planned abdominal surgery and would take some time to recover in private at least until Easter, on March 31. He said there would be no updates on her health while she recovered, and said the surgery was non-cancer. -Related.

Then on Mother's Day in Britain in March, Kate and her husband, the Prince of Wales, posted a photo of a visibly treated Kate and her three children, sparking ongoing speculation about her health. Many leading world photo agencies remembered the photo.

Kate admitted in a social media post Edit the imageBut Kensington Palace in London Refusal to issue an original, unedited copy. Another photo was published of the late Queen Elizabeth with her grandchildren as well It appears to have been changed.

British tabloids reported on Sunday Kate has been seen in publicShe posted an adorable video showing herself and William in a farm shop near her family home in Windsor. The newspaper quoted some onlookers as saying that she looked “happy, relaxed and in good health.”

In February, Kate's father-in-law, King Charles announced He will undergo treatment for an unspecified type of cancer that was discovered during his treatment for an enlarged prostate. Charles and his wife Queen Camilla issued Updates About his health condition, thanking the public for their support.

The Princess of Wales, formerly known as Kate Middleton, married Prince William, who is now Prince William Heir to the throne, in a lavish ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London on April 29, 2011. They have three children: Prince George, 10; Princess Charlotte, 8; And Prince Louis, 5.