Macmillan Cancer Support say they have seen the number of visits to their charity’s online information and support pages skyrocket since Princess Kate announced her cancer diagnosis.
The number of visits to the pages had risen close to 100,000 by Sunday evening, the highest since the first week of the first national lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The sharp rise in visits came hours after Princess Kate announced she was undergoing cancer treatment in a video statement on Friday evening. The future Queen said that it was only after the abdominal surgery earlier this year that cancer was found to have been present.
Following the sharp rise in online visits to the page, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support Gemma Peters said that in sharing her experiences, Kate had raised awareness of the worries many people have about cancer.
Ms Peters added that Kate’s openness would also “encourage others” with worries to step forward.
GB News reported that she explained: “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.
“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.”
Ms Peters also highlighted how Kate’s experience will be relatable to so many other parents diagnosed with cancer who have to explain it to their children.
She said: “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 but it is important to give them the chance to talk openly about their fears.”
During a video message released last week, Kate revealed that she and Prince William had wanted to take the time to explain Kate’s cancer diagnosis to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
She said: “William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.
“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.”
Afterwards, Kate asked that her family be given “some time, space and privacy” as she continued her treatment and recovery.
Following her announcement, Kate was inundated with support from around the world. A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said King Charles – also receiving cancer treatment – was “so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did”.
The monarch also received praise from the medical profession after announcing he had been diagnosed with a form of cancer earlier this year. President of the GP section at the Royal Society of Medicine praised the King for his bravery and how it would help people step forward.
He said: “We have made leaps and bounds in our cancer treatment and survival rates, and the earlier a problem is diagnosed, the more options there are for treatment.
“We would also like to thank His Majesty for using his unique position in highlighting how cancer is indiscriminate in who it affects and that there should be no shame or embarrassment in coming forward to seek help and advice.”
