Catherine, Princess of Wales, 42, attended the men’s singles final at Wimbledon to a standing ovation this past weekend—one of the few occasions on which she’s been seen in public after announcing her cancer diagnosis this year.

Said-Moorhouse L. Princess of Wales receives standing ovation from Centre Court crowd as she attends Wimbledon men’s final. CNN. July 14, 2024.

The public first heard about Middleton’s illness on January 17, when Kensington Palace issued a statement saying that the Princess had gone in for “planned abdominal surgery” the day before. Kensington Palace noted that the surgery was successful but that Middleton would not likely return to public duties until after Easter.

Kensington Palace. A statement from Kensington Palace. January 17, 2024.

In March, Middleton released a video saying that post-operative tests had revealed cancer. “My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy, and I am now in the early stages of that treatment,” she said.

Coughlan S. Kate, Princess of Wales: I am having cancer treatment. BBC. March 22, 2024.

In June, the Princess released a statement on Instagram, updating the public on her treatment progress: “I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting,” she wrote.

@princeandprincessofwales. “I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months…” Instagram. June 14, 2024.

“My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months…I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much needed time to heal.” She added that she is not “out of the woods yet.”

The Princess has not specified what kind of cancer she was diagnosed with. However, Anton Bilchik, MD, PhD, Professor of Surgery and Chief of MedicineSaint John’s Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, CA, tells MDLinx that abdominal cancer, which refers to the stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, colon, rectum, or pelvis, is more and more common—even in younger people like Kate.

Dr. Gary notes that chemotherapy use can speak to the stage of cancer a patient may have. “When cancer is in situ or has not broken out of the place of origin beyond the initial layers of tissue, chemotherapy is hardly ever recommended, so that may speak to the stage, aggressiveness, or potential for progression of the disease,” she adds. 

She notes that the duration of chemotherapy treatment may vary according to patient and cancer type, but that treatment usually lasts several months or longer. “The benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy can last for many years to reduce the risk of recurrence or improve chances of survival,” she explains. 

Middleton shared her need for rest during her chemotherapy experience. Madhu Shetti, MD, a board-certified oncologist and the founder of Balmere, explains that fatigue during chemotherapy is common. Symptoms can also include hair loss, skin issues, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation, changes in food taste, weakness and numbness, and visual changes.

“Isolation, depression, and anxiety are not uncommon for many patients as there is extraordinary financial and personal stress during and after treatment,” Dr. Shetti adds. “Many patients take medical leave from work during therapy as they may have difficulty completing work duties and managing doctor appointments and side effects. Some take medical leave as their immune system is weaker during treatment, and they need to reduce exposure to larger groups of people.”