Sovereign to Share Personal Message on Illness in TV Address
The Monarch has filmed a personal message concerning his journey with cancer, scheduled for transmission as part of this year's fundraising drive, organised by Cancer Research UK and a major network.
Official sources stated 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, recorded at a royal residence recently, will highlight the critical nature of preventative health checks to increase the likelihood more people diagnose the illness at an early stage.
This will be a rare update on the health of the King, who has been in a course of therapy since his condition was announced in early last year. Analysts suggest unlikely the King will specify his specific form of cancer.
The Campaign's Central Purpose
The Stand Up To Cancer campaign each year collects money for medical research and treatment and prompts people to get screenings to increase the chances of an early diagnosis.
The King's candid approach about his illness, and managing the disease, has been intended to promote education and to encourage more people to get tested - and this will be taken a step further with this unique royal involvement.
So far the King's key philosophy to his cancer has been to continue his schedule, preserving a full diary in spite of his ongoing course of care, and he seems not to have sought to be characterised by his diagnosis.
The past twelve months has seen the Sovereign, taking several foreign visits, notably to Italy and Canada, and receiving the largest volume of inward state visits to the UK for decades, including the German president recently.
Friday's Evening Programme
This Friday's awareness programme on television, hosted by celebrities like several TV personalities, will appeal to people not to be frightened of getting cancer checks.
Each presenter have been had experience with cancer - one host revealed last month she had had an operation for a tumour, while Clare Balding was overcame a thyroid condition over a decade ago. Host Hills has previously discussed his late father, who had stomach cancer and then later blood cancer.
The programme will target the roughly nine million people in the UK who Cancer Research UK estimate are not up to date with national health programmes, with an digital tool to let people determine if they are eligible for tests for key health indicators.
In an attempt to explain screenings and show the benefit of early diagnosis there will be a direct feed from hospital departments at medical facilities in Cambridge.
"The goal is to reduce the stigma surrounding cancer screening and prove all people that they are not alone in this," stated one of the hosts.
Understanding Health Checks
At present in the UK, there are a number of publicly available checks - for major health concerns - accessible for specific demographics.
A emerging lung cancer screening programme is also being phased in for individuals at high risk of developing the disease, specifically targeting people of a certain age, who have a smoking history or were former smokers.
Male patients may enquire about prostate cancer checks, but there is lacking a standardised service currently available.
Charitable Impact
The Stand Up to Cancer campaign, which has collected £113m for many years, is supporting 73 clinical trials with thousands of patients.
The Monarch, in a statement for guests at a reception for cancer charities in April, had referred to recognising the "intimidating and at times scary reality" for those diagnosed and their support networks.
But he noted his personal journey of managing cancer had shown him that "periods of great challenge of illness can be alleviated by the kindness of others," as he thanked those who cared for individuals with the illness.
Royal representatives has not revealed the specific type of cancer the King has, or the therapies he has received. The King's cancer was discovered subsequent to he had undergone a medical treatment.
