What is preventative chemotherapy? Princess Kate's treatment to 'eradicate' cancer explained
Kate Middleton shocked the world on Friday when she announced she had been diagnosed with cancer.The royal mum of three explained that the cancer was discovered following her abdominal surgery, and she is now undergoing treatment, sharing that she is having "preventative chemotherapy." The treatment, known formally as adjuvant chemotherapy, is a course of anti-cancer drugs that is given to mop up any cancer cells that might remain in the body after primary cancer treatment, which is usually surgical removal of a tumour.
Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that kills cancer cells and prevents the disease from coming back.There are many types of chemotherapy, but the most common are tablets and liquids that are put directly into the vein.
Chemotherapy can be given before or after surgery, or on its own. It can also be given to help ease symptoms when the cancer has spread and cannot be cured.
Chemotherapy can be used even if surgeons believe they have removed all the cancer, to lower the risk of the disease coming back.
United States
|
Cases: 46 252 513
Deaths: 750 423
Recovered: 0
|
India
|
Cases: 34 321 025
Deaths: 459 652
Recovered: 0
|
Brazil
|
Cases: 21 835 785
Deaths: 608 235
Recovered: 0
|
United Kingdom
|
Cases: 9 215 683
Deaths: 141 607
Recovered: 0
|
Russia
|
Cases: 8 494 589
Deaths: 237 619
Recovered: 0
|