Wilmington woman shares cancer survival story amid Princess Kate's diagnosis

After weeks of speculations, Kate, the Princess of Wales, disclosed Friday that she is battling cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy.

Doctors from UNC say that means she has to try to rid her body of any remaining cancer cells.

Wilmington resident Angelica May understands this journey well.

"I just felt like my life was taken from me [let breathe a bit for the crying], "Angelica May, a cancer survivor, said. "I'm like, why did this happen to me? Why did I have to get cancer?"

Diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer at just 26, she endured intense chemotherapy.

"Feelings that you wish nobody would have. It makes you feel really bad and like out of your body," May said.

Like Middleton, May's initial tests didn't identify her cancer. However, that's common.

"There are very few cancers that you can say is cancer just with imaging or with a blood test," Dr. Ashwin Somasundaram said.

UNC Oncologist Dr. Ashwin Somasundaram knows from his own practice that cancer is very private.

"Most of my patients, this is such a personal journey that some of their own family members don't know about their own diagnosis. I'm sure having the entire world being aware of someone's situation has got to be difficult," Somasundaram said.

However, there's hope.

May recently became cancer-free. and a life that once seemed like it was ending was actually just about to start.

"You're gonna see the light at the end of the tunnel," May said. "I promise you are."

May said she had a great support system and doctors say that goes a long way because, between scans, appointments and treatment, it can be a lot for one person.