Princess Kate also inspired many with her message of hope for fellow sufferers
https://youtu.be/Jl0GV-bAwX8
THE Princess of Wales’s shock revelation that she is being treated for cancer has inspired hundreds of thousands to get checked.
Cancer charities and the NHS saw a surge in online visitors following Kate’s video address on Friday.
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Princess Kate’s shock revelation she was being treated for cancer has inspired hundreds of thousands of Brits to get checkedCredit: PA
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Cancer charities and the NHS saw a surge in online visitors following Kate’s emotional videoCredit: Getty
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The Princess of Wales also inspired many Brits with her message of hope for fellow sufferersCredit: Getty
Prof Peter Johnson, cancer chief at NHS England, said her brave decision to speak out will save lives.
Visits to the NHS cancer symptoms webpage averaged one every three seconds in the hours that followed.
There were 4,172 searches from 6pm to 9pm – more than double the usual rate.
Visits to the cancer homepage were also five times higher than normal over 24 hours.
Professor Johnson praised Kate’s courageous decision to speak out, calling it a lifesaver.
He said: “Receiving a cancer diagnosis turns your life upside down and speaking about it can be really difficult.
“The Princess of Wales bravely speaking out about her diagnosis will help others to do the same.
“Thanks to this, we have seen a spike in people visiting vital information on our website about signs and symptoms.
“There is no doubt that talking about cancer saves lives if it encourages people to come forward sooner if things aren’t right.”
Meanwhile, Cancer Research UK said there were more than 200,000 visitors to its information pages on Friday – a 15 per cent increase on normal traffic.
Sun Health Explainer: What is cancer?
Its CEO Michelle Mitchell said Kate’s broadcast means an early diagnosis is more likely for many, which can be vital.
She added: “These figures show how high-profile cancer cases can encourage people to find out more or think about their own health.
“If people spot something that’s not normal for them or isn’t going away, they should check with their GP.
“Spotting cancer at an early stage means treatment is more likely to be successful.”
Macmillan Cancer Support had almost 100,000 web visitors between Friday and Sunday, 10 per cent higher than this time last year.
It said the surge — highest since the Covid lockdown — was down to “the Kate Middleton effect”.
There is no doubt that talking about cancer saves lives if it encourages people to come forward sooner if things aren’t right
Professor Peter Johnson
The charity specialises in helping patients and their families talk about the disease, something Kate — mother to three young children — discussed in the video.
She said of her and husband William: “It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them and to reassure them that I am going to be OK.”
Macmillan chief executive Gemma Peters said: “Many will be relating to the Prince and Princess of Wales.
“We hear from people every day who are worried about how cancer will affect their loved ones, and how best to support each other through it.”
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Kate said in her video address: ‘For everyone facing this disease in whatever form please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone’Credit: PA
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Macmillan chief exec Gemma Peters said: ‘Many will be relating to the Prince and Princess of Wales at this time’Credit: AP
Timeline of Kate’s health battle & recovery
JANUARY 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery
JAN 17: Kensington Palace announce the princess underwent surgery
JAN 18: William spends time at Kate’s bedside
JAN 23: The princess’ hospital stay passes one week
JAN 29: Kate leaves hospital
FEBRUARY 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to ‘personal matter’, sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate’s health
MARCH 4: Princess pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate
MARCH 10: Royal posts a sweet snap of her and the kids for Mother’s Day – then fans started spotting flaws, and massive agencies put out ‘kill notice’ on photo
MARCH 11: Kate admits she edited photo, and is snapped in car with William
MARCH 16: Royal fans spot the princess at farm shop near Windsor
MARCH 17: Onlookers see Kate watching her youngsters playing sport
MARCH 18: The Sun exclusively published video of Kate and Wills from two days prior
She added: “Some of the first thoughts parents have after being diagnosed with cancer are how it may affect their children, and whether talking to them about it will make them worry.
“In sharing her news, the Princess of Wales has raised awareness of these worries and will be helping to encourage others who have concerns to visit their GP and seek support.”
UK Google data shows searches for the word “cancer” also rocketed 16-fold at 6pm on Friday.
They remained at least double the average all night and into Saturday.
Searches were around 50 per cent higher than usual into Sunday evening.
Searches for “abdominal surgery” — which Kate underwent before her disease was diagnosed — and “abdominal cancer” have also been 35 to 40 times higher.
Many will be relating to the Prince and Princess of Wales at this time
Macmillan Chief Exec Gemma Peters
Kate also inspired many with her message of hope for fellow sufferers.
She ended her address by saying: “At this time I’m also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer.
“For everyone facing this disease in whatever form please do not lose faith or hope.
“You are not alone.”
Dr Ian Walker, policy director at Cancer Research UK, said: “Being open and talking about cancer diagnosis can have a positive effect for anyone.
“It encourages people to find out more and to think about their own health.”
It is well known that celebrity illnesses lead to a boost in public awareness.
The NHS and charities saw a similar spike in visits when King Charles announced he had cancer in February.
Big Brother star Jade Goody’s death from cervical cancer in 2009 led to a surge in the number of women taking smear tests.
Thousands more people also took bowel cancer tests after Sun columnist Dame Deborah James died from the disease in 2022.
Her parents Heather and Alistair told The Sun at the weekend: “In being so open and honest, Kate will undoubtedly encourage many more people to seek medical help. She will save lives.”
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Dame Deborah James’s parents also praised Princess Kate’s honestyCredit: Getty
Flowers vid message for patients
By Matt Wilkinson
KATE gave a subtle show of support for people with cancer during her video statement — with a background of daffodils.
The Princess, 42, has long been an avid supporter of cancer charities — once donating her own hair to be made into wigs for people undergoing chemotherapy.
The choice of daffodils — the national flower of Wales — was also seen as being a nod to her royal title.
Kate has also been seen wearing the flower for Daffodil Day in support of cancer charities — which is on August 31 this year.
Daffodils have even also been proven to help stop the spread of the disease, according to 2018 research by the journal Structure.
A daffodil’s natural extract of hemanthamine can help the body resist cell death, which is also known as apoptosis.
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