Princess Kate’s cancer announcement has sparked a record number of visits to a charity’s website, reaching its highest level of traffic in four years.
On Friday evening, the Princess of Wales released a video message explaining that she had been diagnosed with cancer.
Following the announcement, visits to Macmillan Cancer Support’s online information and support pages surged.
The number of visits was close to 100,000 from Friday to the end of Sunday evening.
Visits to Macmillan Cancer Support website surge after Kate's cancer announcement
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These figures marked the highest weekend levels since the first Covid lockdown in March 2020.
This marked a 10 per cent increase from the same period last year and the highest in the last four years.
In her video message, the princess urged people with cancer to not "lose faith".
She said: "At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone."
Princess Kate announced she is receiving cancer treatment on Friday
PAMacmillan has said that they hope the princess’s announcement will encourage people living with cancer to reach out for support.
They also hope that it will lead people with potential symptoms of cancer to visit their local GP to be checked.
Gemma Peters, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "We hear from people every day who are worried about how cancer will affect their loved ones, and how best to support each other through it.
"In sharing her news the Princess of Wales has raised awareness of these worries and will be helping to encourage others who have concerns, to visit their GP and seek support."
The Macmillan Cancer Support website saw almost 100,000 visits since Friday
PADuring her video message, Princess Kate also spoke about how her diagnosis has taken time to explain to her three young children.
Peters continued: "Many will be relating to the Prince and Princess of Wales at this time.
"Some of the first thoughts parents have after being diagnosed with cancer are how it may affect their children, and whether talking to them about it will make them worry but it is important to give them the chance to talk openly about their fears."
Kate’s decision to speak out has also been hailed by the NHS clinical director for cancer, Prof Peter Johnson.
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Kate's last public engagement was on Christmas Day 2023 GettyJohnson said: "The Princess of Wales bravely speaking out about her diagnosis will help others to do the same.
"Thanks to this, we have seen a spike in people visiting vital information on our website about signs and symptoms. There is no doubt that talking about cancer saves lives if it encourages people to come forward sooner if things aren’t right.
"One in two people will develop some form of cancer in their lifetime, and detecting the disease early gives the best chance of successful treatment. Today in the NHS we are checking more people than ever, more cancers are being diagnosed at an early stage and survival rates are at an all-time high."
Cancer Research UK also announced an increase in their web traffic, stating that there was a 15.2 per cent increase on the day of the princess’s announcement compared to the day before.
