The princess spoke to patients and staff at the hospital about the importance of support which goes beyond the physical.
“I had incredible care here and support from a huge team and I’m really, really grateful on a personal level,” she said.
“But also the holistic care, the treatments and therapeutic support on the outside is so important.
“It makes a big difference – the impact of nature, the impact of good nutrition, good ongoing support around you when it’s really difficult to manage the trials and tribulations of medical treatments,” she reflected.
Catherine sat down and chatted to those receiving treatment at the hospital, including patients with breast cancer, head and neck cancer and a brain tumour.
“When you first get cancer, you’re very aware of the physical impact,” a patient told her. “The mental impact comes after.”
He said it had been a “lifesaver” to be able to talk to a therapist at the hospital, because “there is only so much you can say to your friends and family”.
The princess agreed: “Cancer is not just the physical changes your body is going through.
“There’s a mind-body aspect that changes who you are… having professionals who can help you navigate that is really essential,” she said.