Monarch to Share First-Hand Statement on His Health Battle in TV Programme
The Monarch has recorded a personal message about his experience with cancer, set to air as part of this year's Stand Up To Cancer drive, organised by Cancer Research UK and Channel 4.
Official sources said the King would talk about his "recovery journey" as a cancer patient, in a televised statement on Friday evening at 20:00 GMT.
The message, recorded at his London residence two weeks ago, will highlight the critical nature of preventative health checks to increase the likelihood more people catch the condition at an early stage.
This will be a infrequent public commentary on the health of the Monarch, who has been in a course of therapy since the news was shared in early last year. But it is thought unlikely the King will specify his particular diagnosis.
Fundraising Core Mission
The Stand Up To Cancer campaign each year raises funds for medical research and treatment and urges people to get check-ups to increase the chances of an prompt identification.
The King's public discussion about his illness, and living with cancer, has been aimed to increase understanding and to persuade more people to get checked - and this will be advanced with this unique royal involvement.
So far the King's primary strategy to his cancer has been to continue his schedule, preserving a full diary alongside his regular rounds of care, and he seems not to have wanted to be defined by his illness.
This year has seen the King, 77, embarking on several overseas trips, notably to Italy and Canada, and welcoming the largest volume of official guests to the UK for a generation, including the German president in recent days.
The Televised Evening Programme
The upcoming Stand Up to Cancer broadcast on television, hosted by presenters including several TV personalities, will appeal to people not to be afraid of getting health screenings.
The hosts have been affected by cancer - McCall disclosed last month she had had an operation for a tumour, while Clare Balding was overcame the illness over a decade ago. Comedian Hills has previously spoken about his late father, who had one form of cancer and then later blood cancer.
The show will reach out to the roughly nine million people in the UK who Cancer Research UK estimate are not current with NHS screening schemes, with an website to let people check if they are able for screenings for several common cancers.
In an effort to clarify cancer checks and illustrate the value of prompt detection there will be a direct feed from treatment centres at Addenbrooke's and Royal Papworth hospitals in Cambridge.
"My aim is to take the fear surrounding cancer screening and show the public that they are not alone in this," stated one of the hosts.
Understanding National Services
Right now in the UK, there are a number of national health screening services - for bowel, breast and cervical cancer - accessible for specific demographics.
A emerging preventative initiative is also being slowly rolled out for anyone at potential risk of contracting the disease, specifically targeting people aged 55-74 years old, who have a smoking history or have smoked in the past.
Men may request specific tests, but there is not a universal scheme currently available.
Charitable Impact
The Stand Up to Cancer initiative, which has raised over one hundred million pounds over the past decade, is funding multiple medical projects involving thousands of patients.
His Majesty, in a address for dignitaries at a reception for support groups in the spring, had discussed understanding the "daunting and at times frightening reality" for patients and their families.
But he said his first-hand encounter of living with cancer had shown him that "periods of great challenge of sickness can be illuminated by the support of carers," as he commended those who supported cancer patients.
Royal representatives has not made public the specific type of cancer the King has, or the therapies he has undergone. The King's cancer was identified after he had had a routine operation.
