Princess Kate admitted she was “unaware” that people can get lung cancer without ever smoking, according to a woman who met the royal earlier this year.
Angela Terry, who met Princess Kate at The Royal Marsden Hospital in January, has shared her experience in the EGFR Positive Lung Cancer UK newsletter.
Terry revealed that the Princess of Wales showed genuine interest in lung cancer awareness during their interaction.
The meeting took place during Kate’s emotional visit to the hospital on January 14 this year.
Princess Kate ‘unaware’ you can get lung cancer without ever smoking
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In the newsletter, Terry highlighted Kate’s awareness efforts, writing: “The Princess of Wales seemed genuinely interested & like many, was unaware you can get #lungcancer even if you’ve never smoked.”
This misconception about lung cancer is something Terry’s charity, EGFR Positive UK, works to address.
The 71-year-old was at the Royal Marsden for treatment in January when she unexpectedly met the Princess.
Kate had visited the hospital to “show her gratitude to the incredible team, but also highlight the world leading care and treatment the Marsden provides,” according to a Kensington Palace spokesman.
Princess Kate met Angela Terry earlier this year
Instagram / EGFR Positive Lung Cancer
It was later confirmed that Princess Kate was in remission after receiving treatment at the Royal Marsden during her own cancer journey.
Terry was diagnosed with EGFR-positive lung cancer in 2019. She serves as the non-executive chair of EGFR Positive UK, a charity dedicated to supporting those with mutation-driven lung cancer.
The charity focuses on raising awareness about different types of lung cancer, including those not linked to smoking.
Terry expressed appreciation for how Princess Kate handled her remission announcement.
A man smoking a cigarettePA“It might have been difficult if she had come in talking about her experience about being in remission first because some people who are really very ill might never get to remission, and that would have felt tricky,” she explained.
“She chose to do that after she had left, which speaks volumes,” Terry noted.
Terry also reflected on the transformative nature of cancer.
“When I read later in the day that Kate is in remission, that doesn’t mean she’s through it. This disease changes you,” she said.
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Typical signs of cancer include chest pain and weight lossGETTYShe described how cancer creates an opportunity for self-reflection.
“It also gives you an opportunity to think: ‘Okay, who am I now? Who do I want to be?'” Terry explained.
She believes the experience can lead to positive change, saying: “It’s an opportunity to be true to yourself and choose to let certain things go, friendships or other things that no longer make sense.
“It’s such a weird disease; it stops you and makes you evaluate and review your life, which can be exciting.”