King to share personal message on cancer in TV broadcast

King Charles has recorded a personal message about his experience with cancer, which will be broadcast as part of Cancer Research UK and Channel 4's Stand Up to Cancer campaign this year.

Buckingham Palace said the king will talk about his “journey to recovery” as a cancer patient in a video message on Friday at 20:00 GMT.

The message, recorded at Clarence House two weeks ago, highlighted the importance of cancer screening tests to ensure more people contract the disease at an early stage.

It will be a rare update on the health of King, who has been undergoing regular treatment since then. disclosed his diagnosis in February 2024.. But it is unlikely that the king will determine the type of cancer.

The Stand Up to Cancer campaign raises funds for medical research and treatment each year and encourages people to get screened to improve their chances of early diagnosis.

The king's relative openness about his illness and life with cancer was intended to raise awareness and encourage more people to get tested – and this unusual personal contribution will be another step forward.

Until now, the king's main approach to cancer treatment has been to continue working, maintaining a busy schedule despite regular treatments, and he does not seem to want to be defined by his disease.

The 77-year-old king has made several trips abroad this year, including to Italy and Canada, and has also made the largest number of domestic state visits to Britain in nearly 40 years, including German President last week.

Before the special broadcast was announced earlier this week, the king enjoyed the atmospheric and meditative broadcast. Advent service in Westminster Abbeywith a message from the king emphasizing that it was a season of optimism and “hope”.

Channel 4's Friday night show Stand Up to Cancer, presented by celebrities including Davina McCall, Adam Hills and Clare Balding, will encourage people not to be afraid of getting cancer checks.

All three got cancer – McCall said last month she had surgery for breast cancer, and Balding was treated for thyroid cancer more than 15 years ago. Comedian Hills previously opened up about his late father, who had stomach cancer and then leukemia.

The show will appeal to the estimated nine million people in the UK who Cancer Research UK says are unaware of NHS screening schemes, with an online check allowing people to see if they are eligible for testing for breast, bowel and cervical cancer.

In a bid to dispel myths about cancer screening and show the value of early detection, there will be a live broadcast from the cancer clinics at Addenbrooke's and Royal Papworth Hospitals in Cambridge.

“I want to take the fear out of cancer screening and show everyone they are not alone in this,” said Davina McCall.

There are currently three National Health Service (NHS) cancer screening programs in the UK – bowel, breast and cervical – available to specific age groups.

A new lung cancer screening program is also being gradually rolled out for anyone at high risk of developing the disease, especially people aged 55-74 who currently smoke or are used to smoking.

Men can ask about prostate cancer screening, but there is no national program.

Stand Up to Cancer, which has raised £113 million since 2012, is funding 73 clinical trials involving 13,000 patients.

King Charles spoke of recognition at a reception in support of cancer charities in April. “a frightening and at times frightening experience” for cancer patients and their loved ones.

But he said his experience of living with cancer had shown him that “the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion” and praised those who cared for cancer patients.

The palace did not say what type of cancer the king had or what treatment he received. The king was diagnosed with cancer after he underwent prostate surgery.