Kate Middleton: Why it took five weeks to diagnose her cancer

A leading British oncologist gave answers to questions created by her announcement of who she was diagnosed with. In an article published in the Daily Mail, Dr. Karol Sikora, former president of the World Health Organization’s Cancer Program (WHO), explains why it took five weeks to diagnose her cancer and begin treatment, and at what stage of her treatment she is at, based on what she says. It also explains when preventive (substantial) chemotherapy is judged necessary and why it feels optimistic about its health course. As Dr. Sikora, who is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Buckingham, explains, modern Medicine adapts treatment to each patient individually. This requires advanced molecular and genetic analyses, which demonstrate the risk of cancer recurrence. These analyses are time-consuming. It takes a few weeks to gather the results of all the tests. The additional delay in initiating treatment was due to the fact that doctors expected the incision of the surgery to which Kate Middleton was subjected. No metastases. Dr. Sikora points out that the fact that the Princess of Wales started auxiliary chemotherapy suggests that her cancer has not been metastasized. If there were metastases, he would have to do more aggressive treatment. Auxiliary chemotherapy, he explains, is given to Britain when a patient has over 5% chances of relapse. These rates apply to all cancers. Auxiliary or not, chemotherapy is generally given every 2-3 weeks. This is to recover sensitive tissues, such as bone marrow and skin cells. Second cycle and side effects The fact that Kate said she started her treatment in late February suggests that she has already done the first cycle of chemotherapy. In addition, she is preparing or having already done the second, adds Dr. Sikora. The treatment “is not a picnic” writes Dr. Sikora. The princess will face side effects, mainly fatigue that will gradually deteriorate. Many patients also experience leg stings, due to damage from treatment in the nervous system. It may also experience hair thinning or hair loss – it is not the same in all patients. Young patients, however, usually take better medication. A little exercise can help all cancer patients. On the contrary, stress ‘surely not’, the professor points out. And she points out that Kate Middleton’s meekness and positive personality will help her overcome the adversity of chemotherapy more easily. Finally, he states optimistic that the princess can fully recover. Source: iatropedia.gr