The Kate Middleton effect: Princess of Wales’ cancer message sparks biggest number of weekend visits to Macmillan Cancer Support’s online information and support pages since Covid-19 lockdown

Visits to Macmillan Cancer Support’s online information and support pages were at the highest weekend levels since the first Covid lockdown following the Princess of Wales’ cancer message.

Following Friday’s news, there were close to 100,000 visits to Macmillan’s information and support pages by the end of Sunday — a 10% increase on the same period last year and the highest for a weekend period since at least March 2020, the same month the first national Covid lockdown was announced in the UK[i].

This follows a similar spike last month following King Charles’ cancer diagnosis, when the same pages were visited almost 50,000 times in a single day[ii].

With more than 1,000 people being diagnosed with cancer each day in the UK — on average one person every 90 seconds[iii] — the charity is pleased that those who may be worried about cancer are seeking support.

Macmillan hopes that the Princess of Wales’ message will encourage more people living with cancer to reach out for support. Anyone concerned about potential signs or symptoms of cancer should visit their GP. The sooner cancer is diagnosed and treated, the better the chance of a good outcome.

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.

“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.”

If anyone is worried about the signs and symptoms of cancer or how to support your loved ones about cancer Macmillan can support you. For more information visit www.macmillan.org.uk

How to talk to children about cancer

Wanting to protect children from difficult news, worry and distress is natural. But not explaining what is happening may make them feel more vulnerable. Here are some points to consider ahead of having a conversation about a cancer diagnosis with children:

• Use simple, clear language and short sentences.
• Keep information relevant to the current situation, rather than things that may happen in the future.
• If your children are young, let them know that cancer is not like having germs that you can catch.
• Let them know that they can always ask you questions and talk to you about how they feel.
• Be honest and tell them that you may not know all the answers to their questions, but you will try to find out and will tell them when you know.
• Allow the conversation to be directed by their reactions and the questions they ask.
• You may want to tell your child’s nursery, school or college, as teachers and staff may be able to support them.

For more information visit Talking about cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support

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References:

[i] Macmillan Cancer Support internal data. Refers to Friday 22nd March 2024 to Sunday 24th March 2024. Over this three-day period there were 92,636 unique page views of the information and support pages on the Macmillan website. This is the highest figure for a Friday-Sunday period since at least March 2020 and is 10% higher than the equivalent period in 2023 (24th March 2023 to 26th March 2023), which saw 84,532 unique page views

[ii] Macmillan Cancer Support internal data. Refers to Monday 5th February 2024. On this day there were 48,304 unique page views of the information and support pages on the Macmillan website, the highest daily figure since at least March 2020

[iii] Macmillan Cancer Support. Cancer statistics in the UK. Accessed March 2024.