King to Share Intimate Statement on Cancer in TV Address
King Charles has taped a intimate address about his battle with cancer, scheduled for transmission as part of this year's fundraising campaign, run by Cancer Research UK and a television broadcaster.
Buckingham Palace said the King would talk about his "path to recovery" as a person living with the disease, in a video message on this Friday at 20:00 GMT.
The message, taped inside a royal residence recently, will highlight the importance of routine screenings to increase the likelihood more people diagnose the illness at an treatable phase.
This constitutes a infrequent public commentary on the health of the King, who has been undergoing regular treatment since his condition was announced in early last year. However, it is believed unlikely the King will specify his specific form of cancer.
Fundraising Primary Goal
The annual charity initiative each year collects money for medical research and therapies and prompts people to get screenings to boost the chances of an timely detection.
The King's relative openness about his condition, and living with cancer, has been aimed to increase understanding and to encourage more people to get screened - and this will be taken a step further with this unique direct participation.
Up until now the King's main approach to his cancer has been to maintain his duties, maintaining a hectic timetable in spite of his ongoing course of care, and he is understood not to have desired to be characterised by his illness.
Recently has seen the Sovereign, undertaking several foreign visits, including to Italy and Canada, and welcoming the highest tally of foreign dignitaries to the UK for a generation, including the German president in recent days.
Charity Special Show
Friday evening's Stand Up to Cancer show on Channel 4, featuring well-known figures including a team of famous hosts, will urge people not to be afraid of getting cancer checks.
All three have been had experience with cancer - Davina McCall revealed recently she had undergone surgery for breast cancer, while Clare Balding was diagnosed with a thyroid condition over a decade ago. Host Adam Hills has previously discussed his late father, who had stomach cancer and then later another illness.
The programme will target the roughly millions of people in the UK who Cancer Research UK estimate are not up to date with public health checks, with an website to let people see if they are eligible for tests for several common cancers.
In an effort to clarify health tests and show the importance of prompt detection there will be a direct feed from treatment centres at medical facilities in Cambridge.
"I want to take the fear surrounding health checks and show the public that they are not isolated in this," said a presenter.
Available Health Checks
Right now in the UK, there are three national health screening services - for specific cancers - accessible for specific demographics.
A new scheme for lung health is also being phased in for anyone at high risk of contracting the condition, focusing on people of a certain age, who are smokers or were former smokers.
Male patients may enquire about specific tests, but there is lacking a standardised service currently available.
Charitable Impact
The fundraising project, which has raised £113m over the past decade, is supporting multiple clinical trials involving 13,000 patients.
King Charles, in a message for guests at a event for related organisations in the spring, had referred to acknowledging the "intimidating and at times alarming reality" for patients and their families.
But he noted his personal journey of coping with cancer had revealed that "the darkest moments of sickness can be alleviated by the greatest compassion," as he thanked those who looked after cancer patients.
Official sources has not disclosed the nature of cancer the King has, or what treatment he has been given. The King's cancer was discovered after he had received a prostate procedure.