Those of us who have experienced a cancer diagnosis have our own definitions of BC (Before Cancer) and AD (After Diagnosis).
All ill health is life-changing, but there is something pervasive about cancer that not only inhabits the body but also the psyche.
Although treatment and survival rates have hugely improved, the knowledge that you’ve had it leaves an indelible mark.
Which is why it was wonderful to see The Princess of Wales enjoy a triumphant visit to Italy for her foundation promoting early years education last week.
It’s now two years since her planned abdominal surgery revealed cancer, and she’s clearly feeling confident enough to manage a solo trip – the first she’s taken alone in her life AD.
By making this observation I’m joining the many commentators keeping cancer the major focus of her story.
And I am well aware that in her case – and that of other well-known figures who have contracted the disease – the way it gets embedded in the public narrative must be hugely frustrating, making it even harder for them to escape its shadow.
The Princess of Wales enjoyed a triumphant visit to Italy for her foundation promoting early years education
Most of us who have had cancer would prefer to forget about it and don’t want the subject raised any more than necessary.
It is undeniable, however, that cancer has a huge impact on the way we view our future and even to some extent the past.
There are the constant scans to help detect any lurking cells, the physical scars that are left from surgery and, most of all, the mental scars for those of us who received a diagnosis out of the blue. It all affects the way we see the world.
It’s hard to look blithely at a clear, blue-sky future when you are supremely aware that one day you went in for a routine appointment and found your world turned upside down.
For this reason, I have massive admiration for the Princess who has managed her life AD with such aplomb. As one of the most famous women in the world, it was impossible for her to keep her condition and treatment completely under wraps.
Still, she trod the path between information and privacy with great skill. Now she clearly feels ready to enter a new phase.
Life will never be quite the same as the blissful unawareness of her BC existence.
However, by so publicly putting as much as she can behind her, she shows she’s now ready to grasp her AD life with both hands – and a knock-out cerulean blue trouser suit.
Yet another reason to spurn fat jabs
Latest research on the repercussions of fat jabs reveals that almost a third of the weight lost is from bones and muscle.
For older women already at risk of osteoporosis, that’s bad news and adds to my general distrust of these medicines, especially when used by those who are generally healthy.
Our obsession with the scales is so misguided. The other day I rediscovered a beautiful cocktail dress Emilia Wickstead designed for me in 2008.
I know this was the date because it was in honour of a party Vogue threw to celebrate the opening of the first Westfield shopping centre.
Now, an unbelievable 18 years later, I was delighted to find it still fits perfectly and yet I am nearly half a stone heavier. Go figure.
We all know the number of pounds is not the most important body measurement. Fat-to-muscle ratio and simply how clothes fit is a much better guide.
Yet, despite knowing weight is a foolish measure to chase, I am not quite ready to junk the tyranny of the scales – that lovely quiver of delight when they show a few lost pounds, frequently followed by the dismay of gaining them back again, inexplicably, overnight.
Eighties revival adds colour to drab times
One of my claims to fame is that I have never read a Jilly Cooper. I know that the books are wonderful and it’s a treat I am saving – alongside watching The Sopranos.
Even so, I’m looking forward to the second series of Rivals, which will be a welcome change from my diet of grisly thrillers.
Rivals is part of the current great Eighties revival.
Actress Gillian Anderson appeared on the red carpet at Cannes last week with a fabulously frizzy perm; prawn cocktail and vol-au-vents are back on the menu according to Waitrose; and Madonna is making a huge comeback with appearances at Coachella and the upcoming World Cup final.
Actress Gillian Anderson appeared on the red carpet at Cannes last week with a fabulously frizzy perm
The Eighties may be the decade that style forgot, but even so, a nostalgic nod to those times is a very enjoyable escape from the less attractive aspects of 2026.
Why us oldies like to party past bedtime
A survey by the Individual Restaurants dining group has discovered that it’s now the over 65-year-olds who are the biggest party goers, while the younger crowd are less keen on big gatherings.
That’s probably true. An older crowd have no school runs, wakeful babies, or lunches to pack, and many are no longer on the 9-5 chain gang so we can stay on until the small hours.
At recent bashes I have noticed that it’s often those in their 70s and even 80s settling down for another glass of wine while the younger crowd are waiting for their Uber ride home.
As the Grim Reaper looms into clearer view, there is every reason to grasp the opportunity to celebrate as long and hard as we can.
Dawn chorus now a rowdy wake-up call
On the subject of night-time activities, I know the dawn chorus is meant to be a glorious thing but, recently, at around 4am, a terrible cawing noise crashes in from the park outside and continues for hours.
The gentle trilling of the tits and robins and blackbirds is completely drowned out by this cackling bird, turning what should be a life-affirming melody into something more like a drum and bass rave.
