Kate Middleton's Cancer Journey
- Kate Middleton, 44, who is in remission two years after treatment for an undisclosed cancer diagnosis, recently shared that coloring helped her cope while undergoing cancer treatment. She admitted to having trouble reading and turning to art when she couldn’t focus.
- Many cancer survivors have reported experiencing something called “chemo brain,” when people have difficulty with the cognitive ability to mentally process or understand things after chemotherapy and other cancer treatments.
- Ways to manage chemo brain include writing important information down, planning your day ahead of time, getting plenty of sleep, exercising your mind with puzzles or games, and working with a social worker for more support.
- Creating and listening to music, or engaging in any other form of art or creation, can be a powerful tool when coping with cancer or other health struggles.
In the video clip, shared on X—Middleton, who has been in remission for two years after receiving preventative chemotherapy for cancer found in early 2024— is heard telling a man inside the art therapy room, “But often through treatment … I don’t know about you, but I didn’t really have the ability to read or focus on anything.
Read MoreShe continued, “But actually just a way of playing and losing yourself…and lots of thoughts came up in that process.”View this post on Instagram
Middleton, a 44-year-old mom of three, visited The Christie in Manchester to learn how complementary therapies, creative activities, and spiritual care can offer support for patients alongside treatment.
On June 4, a social media post about her visit, shared on the official Prince and Princess of Wales’ Instagram account, explained, “Spending time with patients, families and staff, hearing powerful conversations about recovery, resilience and the importance of emotional wellbeing throughout the cancer journey.
“From art and reflection to moments of connection and compassion, an inspiring reminder that healing takes many forms.”
Middleton, who wore a vibrant blue dress for the heartfelt visit, later recapped her time at The Christie, showing immense gratitude for everyone there.
“I didn’t have the ability to read or do anything.
Color was my way of exploring interesting things and be able to do something that did not require an end product, just a way of playing and losing yourself”
~Princess Catherine, speaking of her cancer treatment— Prince William’s Jaw🎈 (@bornfirstkindly) July 21, 2026
“Meeting patients, families and staff was a powerful reminder that healing is about so much more than treatment alone,” she said in a statement.
“A cancer diagnosis affects every part of life, in mind, body and the deeper part of ourselves. The way we process fear, uncertainty and change is deeply personal.”
Coping With Cancer
- I Wanted to Be Me Again, But I Also Needed Their Help — Finding That Support System
- Battling Anxiety? Cancer Survivor and Journalist Laura Morton Unpacks How a Diagnosis Can Impact a Patient and Their Family’s Mental Health and How to Cope
- ‘Strong in Cancer’: How To Combat Financial Anxiety, Plus Tips For Making Difficult Treatment Decisions
- SN & You Presents Mental Health: Coping With Emotions
Middleton continued, “The Christie’s commitment to holistic care, from art therapy and wellbeing spaces to emotional and spiritual support, helps people navigate not only illness, but the profound impact it can have on quality of life. These services empower patients to play an active role in their recovery and wellbeing, reminding us that care should always be centered on the whole person.
“Thank you for sharing your stories with me, and for the compassion, creativity and dedication shown every day across the hospital. C.”
View this post on Instagram
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), it’s unknown what exactly leads to changes in thinking, memory, and focus while a patient is battling cancer, but studies have shown how some treatments can alter how the brain functions, a side effect known as “chemo brain.”
As per the ACS, cancer treatments that may increase the risk of changes in thinking include:
- Chemotherapy
- Surgery
- Radiation
- Immunotherapy
- Hormone therapy
- Targeted drug therapies
- Other medicines used as part of treatment, such as steroids, anti-nausea, or pain medicines
According to the ACS, changes in thinking and memory can also be influenced by factors beyond cancer treatment.
These factors include the cancer itself—particularly brain tumors—as well as other health conditions, fatigue, pain, sleep problems, infections, anemia, hormonal changes, poor nutrition, older age, frailty, and emotional challenges such as stress, anxiety, or depression.
“Most of these cause short-term problems that get better as the cause is treated or goes away on its own. Others can lead to longer-lasting changes in thinking unless the cause is treated,” the ACS explains.
We’re glad Middleton was able to embrace her artistic side while going through cancer treatment.
Kate Middleton Journey With Cancer
Middleton revealed she was in remission from cancer in September 2024 through an emotional social media post featuring a video of her spending time outdoors with her family.
View this post on Instagram
“As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,” Middleton said in the footage.
“The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown.”
Middleton, who previously shared that post-operative testing after “major abdominal surgery” revealed that cancer in her body, continued, “The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you.
“With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything.”
View this post on Instagram
She went on to say that this period of time “has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved.”
Middleton completed chemo in the Fall of 2024, before resuming her royal duties.
Chemotherapy is a common cancer treatment that works by stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells. Chemo can also help shrink tumors. However, despite its effectiveness, chemotherapy often comes with side effects.
“Doing what I can to stay cancer-free is now the focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long, and I must continue to take each day as it comes,” Middleton wrote in her Instagram post.
Understanding Chemotherapy & ‘Chemo Brain’
It’s unclear what type of chemotherapy Middleton underwent, but we’d like to point out that there are a lot of myths about how chemotherapy can impact the lives of people. Oftentimes, it’s assumed that while undergoing chemotherapy you’ll be restricted to your home, and unable to move around, but the opposite is actually true, Dr. Marleen Meyers an oncologist at NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center, previously told Survivor Net.
How to Deal With the Side Effects of Chemotherapy
Many people can continue to work and Dr. Meyers encourages her patients to exercise, even if it’s just a walk. It can make a huge difference when dealing with fatigue, a common side effect of chemotherapy.
There are also treatments to help with the side effects of chemotherapy, like medications for treating nausea and vomiting as well as anemia.
Other side effects like hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and even chemo brain, may be able to be managed with integrative medicine, like mindfulness, yoga, and acupuncture.
“Chemo brain is real,” ovarian cancer survivor and stand-up comedian Karen Mills told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview. She explained how she once “pulled into the drive-thru lane at the bank and told the teller, ‘I’m here to pick up my prescription.’”
RELATED: Chemobrain Is Real: Turns Out, It Changes Your DNA
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), chemo brain is “a term commonly used to describe thinking and memory problems that a patient with cancer may have before, during, or after cancer treatment.”
“Signs and symptoms of chemo brain include disorganized behavior or thinking, confusion, memory loss, and trouble concentrating, paying attention, learning, and making decisions,” the institute explains.
Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects
The NCI states that this condition could be brief or last for many years and researchers say chemo isn’t the sole culprit of chemo brain.
“From many sources of data, we now know patients experience impairments not just after chemo, but after surgery, radiation, hormonal therapy,” and other treatments, Dr. Patricia Ganz, an oncologist and director of Cancer Prevention and Control Research at UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, previously told the National Cancer Institute.
Dr. Douglas Blayney, a medical oncologist at Stanford Health Care, has done research on the condition and says “the dysfunction is usually temporary and clears within a year of starting treatment. For some people, its effects are more long-lasting, and may never completely resolve.”
RELATED: Does Your Doctor Believe Chemo Brain is Real?
These patients “have to work harder,” Dr. Ganz said. “Often they’ll get the answer right on a neuropsychology test, but it takes much more effort for them to come up with that” than people who haven’t been exposed to treatment.
Dr. Ganz believes inflammation may be a factor, adding, “If we could identify people who might be more susceptible biologically to this long-term treatment, we could test whether an intervention might be helpful,” she said.
Managing Chemo Brain
There are many tools survivors can use to help cope with chemo brain. The NCI suggests the following ways:
- Get rest and plenty of sleep at night.
- Plan your day ahead of time.
- Keep up with light physical activity (your doctor can help you come up with a plan that makes sense for you).
- Exercise your mind through meditation, puzzles or games.
- Write things down or keep lists of important information.
- Talk with a social worker for additional resources and support
Art Through Cancer
Middleton certainly understands the healing power of art. It’s important to understand that alongside treatment or after beating cancer some people may turn to various artistic outlets (i.e. singing, dancing, painting, crafting) to help them cope with their cancer journey.
RELATED: How I Made It Through Cancer: Painting & Dreaming
Some people also use art to handle feelings of grief after suffering a cancer-related loss. Whenever and however you turn to art, its healing benefits in terms of mental health are well-documented and substantiated.
In fact, Very Well Mind previously reports that a 2016 study published in the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association says that less than an hour of creative activity can reduce stress and have a positive effect on your mental health. And that’s true regardless of artistic experience or talent, the author notes.
Meanwhile, Marianne Cuozzo, a three-time cancer survivor, can also attest to the power of art. And despite the fact that cancer has essentially been her whole life, Cuozzo has recognized herself as a lot more than a diagnosis by focusing on her life as a mother and an artist.
Three-Time Cancer survivor Marianna Cuozzo On How Art Helps Her Express Herself
Cuozzo was first diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1994 at the age of 28. In 1997, she had a recurrence, and then she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014. She had a double mastectomy and originally got implants with reconstruction.
But after years of infections, she decided to remove her implants and “go flat.” Her artwork reflects a deeply personal exploration of body image and sexuality. In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, Cuozzo tells us how she found comfort expressing herself through her work.
RELATED: Watch this Inspiring Film About the Impact Art & Music Can Have on the Cancer Journey
“My artwork is very reflective of my cancer journey,” Cuozzo says. “I’m doing the best I can to feel beautiful in this new body.”
Do What You Love During & After Cancer
During and after cancer treatment, it’s easy for the disease and recovery to consume your attention. But Middleton’s visit serves as a reminder of the importance of making time for activities that bring joy, comfort, and a sense of normalcy during the healing process.
Experts recommend you try to take some time out of your day a few times a week and really enjoy those special pockets of joy.
“We know from good studies that emotional health is associated with survival, meaning better quality of life is associated with better outcomes,” Dr. Dana Chase, a gynecologic oncologist at Arizona Oncology, previously told SurvivorNet.
“So working on your emotional health, your physical well-being, your social environment [and] your emotional well-being are important and can impact your survival. If that’s related to what activities you do that bring you joy, then you should try to do more of those activities.”
Dr. Dana Chase Encourages Those Facing Cancer to Find Moments of Joy During Treatment
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
