King Charles’ cancer message in full as he opens up on recovery
King Charles has made a heartfelt appeal for people across the UK to get involved in cancer screenings, drawing on his “overwhelming” personal health journey and highlighting millions of missed opportunities for early detection.
In a recorded message supporting Stand Up to Cancer, the monarch announced her own treatment would be tapered in the new year, describing it as a “personal blessing”.
Reflecting on his experience, the King said he was “deeply distressed” to learn that at least nine million people in the UK were not up to date on the cancer screenings available to them.
Here is the full message:
This is the season when our thoughts turn to celebrations with our friends and families.
In the midst of this festive period, I wanted to ask you to join me today in finding a special place in your hearts, minds and prayers for the hundreds of thousands of people diagnosed with cancer every year in the UK and the millions of people who love and care for them.
I know from my own experience that a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming.
But I also know that early diagnosis is the key that can transform treatment journeys, saving healthcare teams invaluable time and giving their patients the precious gift of hope.
These are gifts we can all help deliver.
Throughout my own cancer journey, I have been deeply touched by what I can only call the “community of care” that surrounds every cancer patient—the specialists, nurses, researchers, and volunteers who work tirelessly to save and improve lives.
But I also learned something that disturbed me deeply: At least nine million people in our country are not aware of the cancer screenings available to them.
This means at least nine million missed opportunities for early diagnosis.
The statistics speak very clearly. To give just one example: When bowel cancer is caught at its earliest stage, approximately nine out of 10 people survive for at least five years. When diagnosed late, this rate drops to 1 in 10.
Early diagnosis quite simply saves lives.
I have now heard this message over and over again in my visits to cancer centers across the country. I also know what a difference this has made to my condition, allowing me to live a full and active life even while receiving treatment.
As a matter of fact, today I can share with you the good news that my own cancer treatment program can be shortened in the new year thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and following “doctor’s recommendations”.
This milestone is both a personal blessing and a testament to the remarkable advances in cancer care in recent years; It’s a testimony that I hope can encourage the 50 percent of us who will be infected with this disease at some point in our lives.
But I’m told that often people avoid screening because they think it might be scary, embarrassing or uncomfortable.
If they eventually accept their invitation, they will be happy to attend. A few minutes of minor discomfort is a small price to pay for the reassurance that comes when most people are either told they do not need further testing or some are given the chance to allow early diagnosis with life-saving intervention that can follow.
That’s why I’m so encouraged to learn about the new national Scan Checker available online. This simple tool lets you check if you’re eligible for breast, bowel or cervical cancer screening. It demystifies the process, answers your questions, and guides you to take that important step.
As I have observed before, the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated with the greatest compassion. But compassion must be matched with action.
This December, as we gather to reflect on the past year, I pray that as part of the resolutions we make for the year ahead, we will commit to doing our part to help catch cancer early.
Your life or the life of someone you love may depend on it.
For this reason, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, nurses, researchers and philanthropists involved in the diagnosis and treatment programs, and I also extend my best wishes to those they devotedly care for.
