Princess of Wales and King Charles: one in two people develop cancer during their lives – the diseases and treatments explained

B. Lenoir/Shutterstock by Gavin Metcalf, Anglia Ruskin University The Princess of Wales released a moving video message on March 22 to address speculation about her health. In it, the future queen disclosed that she’d been diagnosed with cancer following tests conducted after she underwent major abdominal surgery at a clinic in London in January. Catherine explained that she was undergoing “preventative chemotherapy” – but emphasised that her surgery had been successful, and that she was “well” and “getting stronger every day”. The message was the second announcement of a royal family cancer diagnosis in recent weeks. On February 5, Buckingham Palace published a statement that King Charles III had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer, unrelated to the treatment he had been receiving for an enlarged prostate. The statement said that he had begun “regular treatments”. The king postponed all public-facing duties during his treatment, but reportedly continued with his “constitutional role as head of state, including completing paperwork and holding private meetings”. Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. One in two people will develop some form of cancer in their lifetime – so the condition will affect almost every family. However, many cancers can be...