King Charles III shared “good news” about his future cancer treatments.
In a rare personal message shared Friday, in support of the Stand Up to Cancer organization, the monarch announced his cancer treatment schedule will be reduced in the new year — a major stride forward that Charles attributed to “early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to doctors’ orders.”
He continued, “This milestone is both a personal blessing and a testimony to the remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care.”
Charles’ Friday message that he is responding well to treatment is the biggest update on the monarch’s health since Buckingham Palace revealed his cancer diagnosis early last year.
In February 2024, Charles chose to publicly share his cancer diagnosis to “prevent speculation” and hoped he could provide “understanding to all those around the world who are affected by cancer,” per Buckingham Palace.
Charles had never revealed what form of cancer he has or the stage of the disease.
Buckingham Palace did not describe Charles’ cancer as being in remission, but noted that his recovery has reached an optimistic phase and he has “responded exceptionally well to treatment,” per the BBC. Doctors will move his treatment “into a precautionary phase.”
Early cancer detection, Charles said, can be a lifesaver.
In his message, the king emphasized the importance of receiving available cancer screenings and encouraged viewers to get tested for cancer.
He also announced there is a new cancer screening checker available online in the United Kingdom, which provides simple tools to check if patients are eligible for breast, bowel or cervical cancer screenings. The online tool will guide patients toward the next steps.
“I know from my own experience that a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming,” he said. “Yet I also know that early detection is the key that can transform treatment journeys, giving invaluable time to medical teams — and, to their patients, the precious gift of hope.”
He added, “Early diagnosis quite simply saves lives.”
An estimated 9 million people in the U.K. are not up to date with available cancer screenings, a statistic that Charles said “troubles (me) deeply.”
Charles assured viewers that cancer screenings are not something to be nervous about.
“I am told, people avoid screening because they imagine it will be frightening, embarrassing or uncomfortable,” he said. “If and when they do finally take up their invitation, they are glad they took part.”
“A few moments of minor inconvenience are a small price to pay for the reassurance that comes for most people when they are told either they don’t need further tests, or, for some, are given the chance to enable early detection, with the life-saving intervention that can follow.”