What is preventive chemotherapy? Kate Middleton’s treatment

Kate Middleton’s condition and whereabouts have been topic of societal discussion (read: bad taste gossip) for months since it was announced that she would be suspend royal duties after an abdominal operation at the end of January. The speculation ended after the princess herself spoke out in a video on March 22revealing a cancer diagnosis and detailing her recent health journey.

In the video, Middleton did not give details about the type of cancer she was diagnosed with or its stage. But she revealed she is currently in the “early stages” of preventative chemotherapy.

Although many people are familiar with chemotherapy as a drug treatment for cancer, preventative chemotherapy is less widely understood. PS spoke with three oncologists, who helped explain exactly what the treatment is, what its benefits are, and what side effects it can cause.

What is preventive chemotherapy?

Preventative chemotherapy involves using chemotherapy drugs to reduce the risk of cancer recurring in the future, although it should be noted that board-certified oncologists in the United States generally do not use this term. “We use the term neoadjuvant (chemotherapy given before surgery) or adjuvant chemotherapy.
chemotherapy (chemotherapy given after surgery) » Madhu ShettiMD, radiation oncologist and founder of Balmerea skincare line aimed at people with cancer, tells PS.

The type of cancer being treated and its stage will affect the medications used and how long they last. Dr. Shetti says adjuvant therapy can last as little as a few weeks for a short course of intravenous chemotherapy or several years, as in the case of some oral tablets for breast cancer.

“The benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy can last for many years, reducing the risk of recurrence or improving the chances of survival,” adds Monica GaryMD, breast surgical oncologist and medical director of the Grand View Health Cancer Program.

When is preventive chemotherapy used?

Preventive chemotherapy is used in several different cases, Dr. Gary tells PS. It could be used if biomarker tests indicate the cancer is at high risk of coming back, for example, or if lymph nodes are involved, indicating the cancer may have spread. “Once surgery is performed and a tumor is removed, it will be tested to determine if it has a high potential for recurrence or spread. These are some of the main factors used to determine whether chemotherapy would be beneficial after removal of cancer.”, says Dr. Gary.

Ultimately, preventative chemotherapy aims to reduce the risk of cancer recurring in the future. “We often give preventative chemotherapy for several types of cancer to try to eradicate microscopic cells that cannot be seen on scans but can grow if left untreated,” explains Marleen Meyers, MD, medical oncologist and director of the Cancer Survivorship Program at NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center. Even if a cancer is surgically removed, if it is considered to be at high risk of recurrence, this type of chemotherapy may be used. “This can be done in breast, ovarian, and colon cancer, among others,” says Dr. Meyers.

What are the side effects of preventive chemotherapy?

Anyone who has been affected by cancer (either through a your own diagnosis or that of a loved one) knows how difficult and exhausting treatments like chemotherapy can be. Dr. Shetti says the side effects of adjuvant therapy are similar to those of standard chemotherapy. Patients may experience hair and nail loss, memory difficulties or “chemobrain,” bone and muscle pain, hormonal dysregulation, weight loss, and more.

Alexis Jones is the senior health editor at POPSUGAR. Her areas of expertise include women’s health, mental health, racial and ethnic health care disparities, diversity in wellness, and chronic disease. Before joining POPSUGAR, she was the editor-in-chief of Health magazine. Her other bylines can be found on Women’s Health, Prevention, Marie Claire, and more.