Kate Middleton’s Remission “Relief” Isn’t Always the Norm, Reflects a Mom & Young Cancer Survivor

On Tuesday, Kate Middleton took to social media to share a hopeful piece of health news: She is now in remission after completing chemotherapy last September for an undisclosed form of abdominal cancer, which she revealed to the public in March 2024.

It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focused on recovery, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, noted on Instagram. As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal. I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead, she added. There is much to look forward to.

As they must have for so many other cancer survivors, her words resonated with me. I remember that time of adjusting to my own “new normal” after finishing treatment for early stage breast cancer in 2023. However, in my case, that time was marked with anything but “relief.”

Despite doctors declaring me cancer-free, my anxiety unexpectedly spiked to peak levels as I entered the “surveillance” stage of my recovery. As the initial surge of adrenaline fell away, I became consumed with fear and hyper-vigilance—worried that the cancer might come back in the form of an incurable, metastatic disease. I felt an overwhelming wave of grief at having to confront my mortality at the age of 36, and as a mother of two young children. Though outwardly I kept calm and carried on, it’s taken me since then to sort through the emotional rubble.

As I’ve learned, this is not an uncommon reaction to completing cancer treatment. While of course many people celebrate the major milestone of going into remission or having “no evidence of disease” (NED), it is also common to hit a point of emotional breakdown after the dust has finally begun to settle.

According to the Mayo Clinic, there are several common sources of distress following the completion of treatment. Some patients may feel afraid that they have less contact with their care team, and, lacking that safety net, may turn their attention to worrying about recurrence. Others may contend with lingering feelings of depression, anxiety, or loneliness, having gone through an experience that few understand—especially when the patient is diagnosed at a young age, without friends or other acquaintances who can relate on a deeply personal level. Others still may struggle to return to their everyday responsibilities and meet their financial demands while contending with the physical aftermath of treatment and managing the mental load of survivorship. In other words, just as people begin to perceive you as “healthy,” it’s normal to feel anything but.

Remembering that this experience is common could help alleviate some of the strain, the Mayo Clinic adds. “Everything you’re feeling right now is typical for cancer survivors. Recovering from cancer treatment isn’t just about your body. It’s also about healing your mind,” their experts note.

For me, that healing has come with time—though even now, there are difficult days. Therapy, exercise, meditation, abstaining from alcohol, and leaning on friends and family for support have all helped me arrive on the other side of the most strenuous chapter of my life. Though I wouldn’t wish cancer on anyone, I now feel in many ways enriched by the experience.

In recent years, Britain’s Royal Family has prioritized mental health initiatives as a cornerstone of their work, and made great strides in destigmatization. Behind closed doors, the Princess of Wales is almost certainly working hard to navigate the complexities of her diagnosis, and now her remission—most likely made all the more challenging by living in the public eye.

I am thrilled to hear the Princess’s good news, and share her relief in knowing that she has turned a corner. And, to those who might feel something other than relief under similar circumstances, know that this, too, can be part of the healing.

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