The King will reflect on his own cancer journey and stress the importance of early screening in a personal message broadcast today. Charles, who was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer early last year and continues to undergo regular treatment, is taking part in Stand Up To Cancer 2025, a joint campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4.
Launching on Monday, the week-long campaign aims to drive awareness of the importance of early diagnosis, raises funding for cancer research and supports all those affected by the illness.
The King’s message will air at 8pm before Davina McCall hosts a live broadcast from a cancer clinic at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. It was recorded during the last week of November in the Morning Room at Clarence House.
The King will use his message to stress the importance of cancer screening programmes in enabling early diagnosis and will reflect on his own recovery journey.
This year, Stand Up To Cancer has launched a simple online screening checker (screeningchecker.co.uk) which helps users determine which breast, bowel and cervical screening programmes they may be eligible for, provides trusted information from Cancer Research UK, and directs users to further support where needed.
It’s not the first time the King has reflected on his cancer journey, as in the spring he said that his own experience with cancer has given him an appreciation of the work that organisations and individuals do for those diagnosed.
Charles, 77, said that “the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion”.
In a personally written message to those attending a reception in celebration of community-based cancer organisations tonight, the monarch said: “Each diagnosis, each new case, will be a daunting and at times frightening experience for those individuals and their loved ones.
“But as one among those statistics myself, I can vouch for the fact that it can also be an experience that brings into sharp focus the very best of humanity.
“It has certainly given me an even deeper appreciation of the extraordinary work undertaken by the remarkable organisations and individuals gathered here this evening, many of whom I have known, visited and supported over the years.
“And it has reinforced what I have long observed during these visits – that the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion.”
