The (very) refined silhouette of Kate Middleton again made react this weekend when she came to Wimbledon. Always smiling, the princess of Wales appeared, however, very frail, in her blue dress.
Already last year, when she started her chemotherapy, doctors had expressed their concerns. This year again, his appearance raises questions.
A weight loss that can be explained by cancer and its treatments
Dr. Gérald Kierzek recalls that as part of cancer, it is not uncommon to observe a severe undernutrition state called Cachexie.
“”In the specific case of post-operative thinness, we can speak of cancerous impact syndrome, frequent in digestive cancers like those of the stomach, pancreas or colon“He reveals.
This phenomenon is caused by chronic inflammation and a disturbance of metabolism. This leads to the progressive destruction of muscles and fatty reserves.
Surgery can also play an aggravating role. Dr. Gérald Kierzek specifies that heavy interventions can cause malabsorption, especially in the event of intestinal or gastric resection.
Added to this are the post-operative pain that reduces appetite. This complicates recovery and increases the energy needs of the body. Result: the body struggles to regain its balance.
Associated treatments can also cause weight loss
That’s not all. Chemotherapy or radiotherapy often cause nausea, inflammation of the mouth (mucites) or an alteration of taste, making food difficult.
The doctor adds that certain drugs, such as antibiotics or analgesics prescribed in parallel, can disrupt the digestive system and further curb food intake.
To these physical causes are added important psychological factors. “”Post-traumatic stress syndrome, especially in the event of recent diagnosis, can also lead to a loss of sustainable appetite “ he underlines.
Global and early management is essential
For Gérald Kierzek, it is crucial not to minimize such thinness when it occurs after cancer. “”Extremely post-cancer thinness must be taken care of in a global way: nutrition, psychology, physical activity “ he lists. He recalls that undernutrition, if not treated in time, aggravates the overall prognosis of the patient.
In the absence of rapid management, weight loss can settle permanently and further weaken an organism already weakened by the disease. In a personality as exposed as Kate Middleton, these signals recall how fragile post-care is, and to watch closely.