Home Life Style Kate Middleton reveals rare insight into chemotherapy treatment when a cancer patient she met praises her “warmth” and says meeting her was “like talking to a friend about a really horrible moment.”

Kate Middleton reveals rare insight into chemotherapy treatment when a cancer patient she met praises her “warmth” and says meeting her was “like talking to a friend about a really horrible moment.”

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The Princess of Wales has revealed that

The Princess of Wales has revealed that she “did not have to undergo” cold cap therapy, which helps prevent hair loss, during her chemotherapy treatment, according to a cancer patient who met the royal during her visit to the Hospital Royal Marsden.

On Tuesday, Kate, 43, in her first major official solo engagement in more than a year, made an emotional return to the central London clinic where she was treated.

During her visit, the mother-of-three was photographed chatting animatedly with patient Katherine Field, 45, who was wearing a cold cap during her chemotherapy session to preserve her hair.

A cold cap can be used during some chemotherapy treatments and its cooling effect reduces blood flow to the scalp, reducing the amount of chemotherapy drug reaching the area and helping to prevent hair loss.

talking to PEOPLE magazineKatherine revealed how the princess spoke about cold cap therapy, adding: ‘She just said she didn’t have to have it. For her to lose her hair, which is so iconic, would have been horrible. Everyone loves her hair!’

The art historian and curator also talked about how meeting the royal, who kindly put her hand on the patient’s knee as a gesture of comfort, was “like talking to a friend about a really horrible moment in life.”

“It’s warm and felt like sitting with a friend talking, which is quite difficult to do in those circumstances.” “She’s very special: being able to connect with people so quickly and empathetically,” Katherine added.

Elsewhere in her chat with the art professional, Kate shared how she became ‘so attached’ to her chemotherapy port while receiving treatment for the disease.

The Princess of Wales has revealed she “didn’t have to undergo” cold cap therapy, which helps prevent hair loss, during her chemotherapy treatment, according to a cancer patient (pictured center, Katherine Field) who met royalty during his visit. to Royal Marsden Hospital

The royal, who gestured to his own arm and chest to discuss the “port” mechanism used to deliver the drug, also joked that he “hesitated” when doctors said he could remove it.

The ‘port’, also known as a portacath or subcutaneous port, is a small implantable device that allows chemotherapy drugs to be administered directly into a vein.

The device can be left in place for weeks, months, or even years, and when it is no longer needed, a doctor or nurse practitioner can remove it under anesthesia.

“I got so attached,” the princess said, joking that she had hesitated when they finally told her “you can take it off.”

After making an emotional return to the hospital where she was treated to comfort other patients, Kate also revealed that she is now in remission from cancer.

Kate, in a personal message written after her visit, described her “relief” and said there is “much to look forward to.”

This is the first time Kate has used the word remission to describe where she is in her cancer journey.

The princess said, in her message signed ‘C’: “It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focused on recovery.”

On Tuesday, Kate, 43, in her first major official solo engagement in more than a year, made an emotional return to the central London clinic where she was treated.

On Tuesday, Kate, 43, in her first major official solo engagement in more than a year, made an emotional return to the central London clinic where she was treated.

The Princess of Wales chats with Katherine Field, who was wearing a cold cap during her chemotherapy session to preserve her hair, at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.

The Princess of Wales chats with Katherine Field, who was wearing a cold cap during her chemotherapy session to preserve her hair, at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.

London's Royal Marsden is where the Princess of Wales received treatment last year

London’s Royal Marsden is where the Princess of Wales received treatment last year

‘As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal.

‘However, I look forward to next year being a full one. There is a lot to wait for. Thank you all for your continued support.”

He also thanked the Royal Marsden for their “exceptional” care and for “taking such good care of me.”

‘My sincere thanks to all those who have walked silently alongside William and me as we went through it all. We couldn’t have asked for me,’ the princess added.

In September, Kate said that “doing what I can to stay cancer-free is now my goal” when she announced the end of her chemotherapy treatment.

Enough time has passed since the end of her chemotherapy, meaning the princess can now describe herself as being in “remission.”

Kate spoke candidly about her own diagnosis, the “impact” of her “really tough” chemotherapy and the challenges of getting back to normal as she thanked her “amazing” medical teams for their care during her trip to Marsden on Tuesday.

The princess, in her first major official solo engagement in more than a year, hugged Tina Adumou, who burst into tears when she told Kate that her 19-year-old daughter is in the intensive care unit.

The Princess of Wales hugs Rebecca Mendelhson during a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital

The Princess of Wales hugs Rebecca Mendelhson during a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital

The Princess of Wales looks at a poster during a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.

The Princess of Wales looks at a poster during a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.

The Princess of Wales talks to Kerr Meliá during a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital

The Princess of Wales talks to Kerr Meliá during a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital

Kate put an arm around her, seemed excited, and told her she was in the best place possible.

The princess said: ‘I’m sorry. I wish I could do more to help. “I wanted to come and show my support for the incredible work being done here and those who are going through treatment and going through such difficult times.”

Kate added: ‘Are you okay? Yeah?’ Then he said smiling: ‘There is light at the end of that tunnel. A pleasure to meet you and good luck. You are in the best hands.’

The engagement, the princess’s first in 2025, was described as an important and “incredibly moving” moment in Kate’s “personal journey.”

It had not previously been revealed that Kate was treated at Marsden, a world-leading state-of-the-art cancer center known for its pioneering research.

The unannounced visit coincided with the news that Kate has become joint royal patron of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, alongside the Prince of Wales, a patronage once held by Diana, Princess of Wales.

Kate said in her message: “My hope is that by supporting innovative research and clinical excellence, as well as promoting the wellbeing of patients and their families, we can save many more lives and transform the experience of all those affected by cancer.” “.

In September, Kate vowed to stand with all those continuing their own cancer journey “side by side, hand in hand.”

The Princess of Wales meets therapy dog ​​Scout during a visit to Royal Marsden Hospital

The Princess of Wales meets therapy dog ​​Scout during a visit to Royal Marsden Hospital

The Princess of Wales talks to Peter Burton during a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital

The Princess of Wales talks to Peter Burton during a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital

The Princess of Wales talks to members of staff during a visit to Royal Marsden Hospital

The Princess of Wales talks to members of staff during a visit to Royal Marsden Hospital

Crowds of people gathered to see the princess outside the medical treatment room, and she made an impromptu walk among the patients and their followers waiting in the hallway.

He tightly hugged Rebecca Mendlesohn, 57, who is undergoing a trial for secondary cancer: breast and liver.

The princess, dressed in a burgundy polo shirt and matching skirt, met four other cancer patients and swapped stories about her time at Marsden as she sat alongside them in the hospital’s treatment room.

“It’s really hard,” he told a patient receiving chemotherapy. “It’s a big shock.”

“Everyone was telling me, ‘Please keep a positive mindset, it makes a big difference,'” Kate said.

She added that “when I came in, everyone said, ‘Make sure you have all your warm clothes on,’ because of the side effects.”

When asked how she feels now, Kate replied that she is fine, but talked about life after treatment.

“You think the treatment is over and you can continue and get back to normal, but that’s still a real challenge,” he said, referring to “more long-term side effects.”

The Princess of Wales during her visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London

The Princess of Wales during her visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London

The Princess of Wales during her visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London on Tuesday

The Princess of Wales during her visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London on Tuesday

Kate also spoke about the overwhelming nature of receiving a diagnosis.

“Understanding the diagnosis involves an enormous amount of information that the patient must assume,” he said.

He told several patients that it is important to continue “doing the things that bring you joy.”

The princess joked about the novelty of entering through the main entrance of the Marsden after so many quiet and ‘secret’ visits.

Ruth Bosworth, whose husband Richard, 77, is being treated for myeloma, told the princess: “I think you have handled the children surprisingly well.” Kate responded, “Oh, that’s nice.”

During a discussion about holistic care, the princess said: ‘I feel like sometimes it’s harder for the loved ones around us. They need as much support as I do as a patient.’

William has described the year 2024 as “brutal”, and his father, the King, was also diagnosed with the disease.

When a woman’s machinery began beeping during the conversation, signaling that action was necessary, the princess jumped up and commented, “I recognize that beep.”

Kensington Palace stressed that guidelines on Kate’s return to public engagements have not changed and will remain gradual.

The visit to Marsden came two days before the first anniversary of Kate being admitted to the London Clinic for major abdominal surgery on January 16, 2024.

What is a cooling cap?

Scalp cooling is one way to reduce or prevent hair loss during chemotherapy. It can also help hair grow back after treatment and is often called a cold cap or cold cap.

The cap reduces the temperature of the scalp, which makes the blood vessels smaller and reduces blood flow to the area. This can prevent some chemotherapy drugs from affecting the hair follicles.

There are two types of scalp cooling, a refrigerated cooling system and a cold gel cap.

A refrigerated cooling system works by using a machine that pumps coolant through the cap while you are wearing it.

While a cold gel cap uses a special cap filled with frozen gel and stored in a freezer. The cold weather cap, fitted with Velcro, should be changed every 20 to 40 minutes.

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