The King has said that early detection was “crucial” in his own
cancer treatment, crediting swift diagnosis with allowing doctors
to reduce the intensity of his medical regime in the new year. The
monarch’s unusually personal disclosure came in a recorded message
for Channel 4’s Stand Up To Cancer campaign, in which he urged
millions of Britons to take up screening invitations they may have
ignored.
In the address, the King said he had been “profoundly moved” by
the community of specialists, nurses and volunteers who support
cancer patients, but added that he had also learned of what he
called a “deeply troubling” gap in screening uptake. At least nine
million people, he said, were overdue routine checks that could
catch some of the UK’s most common cancers at the earliest – and
most treatable – stage.
Reflecting on his own illness, His Majesty told viewers that
early diagnosis had given medical teams the time they needed to
plan effective intervention and had given him “the precious gift of
hope”. “It has enabled me,” he said, “to continue leading a full
and active life, even while undergoing treatment.”
The 77-year-old monarch has undertaken a lighter programme of
engagements since disclosing his diagnosis earlier this year,
relying on the Queen and senior members of the family to step
forward for several high-profile duties. Palace sources have said
privately that he remains “determined” to maintain as much of his
public role as doctors will allow.
In his message, the King acknowledged the anxiety that often
surrounds screening appointments, saying the process could seem
“frightening, embarrassing or uncomfortable”. But he urged the
public to see such concerns as fleeting compared with the
reassurance that early detection can bring. He highlighted a new
online screening checker that allows people to confirm their
eligibility for breast, bowel and cervical tests and learn what to
expect.
The King’s intervention marks one of the clearest examples of a
modern monarch using personal experience to push a public health
message. It is understood that he chose to speak now, during the
pre-Christmas period, to encourage families to have conversations
that might otherwise be postponed.
Concluding his remarks, he expressed “heartfelt thanks” to those
working across cancer care and sent his good wishes to patients
undergoing treatment. His speech is likely to prompt fresh debate
about the role of the sovereign in raising awareness of public
health issues – and may add to pressure on the NHS to improve
access to screening services already stretched by high demand.
Click here to watch The King’s message in full, accompanied
by a script.
