Monarch to Broadcast First-Hand Address on Cancer in Television Programme

The Monarch has filmed a personal message about his battle with cancer, which will be broadcast as part of this year's annual cancer awareness drive, run by a leading cancer charity and a television broadcaster.

Official sources confirmed the King would reflect on 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 his London residence two weeks ago, will stress the vital significance of preventative health checks to increase the likelihood more people diagnose the condition at an early stage.

This will be a infrequent public commentary on the health of the King, who has been receiving ongoing care since his condition was announced in early last year. Analysts suggest doubtful the King will identify his particular diagnosis.

The Campaign's Central Purpose

The Stand Up To Cancer initiative each year collects money for scientific studies and therapies and prompts people to get screenings to improve the chances of an timely detection.

The King's public discussion about his health challenge, and managing the disease, has been aimed to promote education and to encourage more people to get screened - and this will be taken a step further with this exceptional direct participation.

To date the King's key philosophy to his cancer has been to continue his schedule, preserving a hectic timetable in spite of his regular rounds of care, and he appears not to have desired to be characterised by his diagnosis.

This year has seen the 77-year-old Monarch, embarking on several overseas trips, notably to Italy and Canada, and hosting the largest volume of official guests to the UK for almost 40 years, which included the German president in recent days.

The Televised Evening Programme

Friday evening's charity programme on the network, featuring well-known figures including Davina McCall, Adam Hills and Clare Balding, will urge people not to be frightened of getting preventative tests.

All three have been had experience with cancer - one host disclosed recently she had undergone surgery for the disease, while Clare Balding was overcame the illness in the past. Presenter Hills has previously spoken about his father, who had a diagnosis and then later blood cancer.

The show will appeal to the estimated nine million people in the UK who Cancer Research UK says are not compliant with public health checks, with an website to let people check if they are eligible for tests for several common cancers.

In an bid to explain health tests and show the benefit of timely identification there will be a real-time transmission from cancer clinics at Addenbrooke's and Royal Papworth hospitals in Cambridge.

"My aim is to remove the anxiety from cancer screening and show all people that they are not on their own in this," commented a presenter.

The Landscape of Screening Programmes

At present in the UK, there are several key national health screening services - for major health concerns - available to specific demographics.

A emerging scheme for lung health is also being gradually implemented for people at increased risk of developing the condition, focusing on people of a certain age, who have a smoking history or have smoked in the past.

Male patients may request prostate cancer checks, but there is no national programme currently available.

Funding Research

The charity project, which has generated over one hundred million pounds for many years, is funding 73 clinical trials involving many patients.

King Charles, in a address for guests at a gathering for related organisations in the spring, had referred to acknowledging the "daunting and at times scary situation" for those diagnosed and their support networks.

But he noted his experience of managing cancer had revealed that "periods of great challenge of sickness can be brightened by the greatest compassion," as he commended those who cared for those receiving treatment.

Royal representatives has not disclosed the nature of cancer the King has, or what treatment he has been given. The King's cancer was identified following he had received a prostate procedure.