King to Broadcast First-Hand Message on Cancer in Television Programme
The Monarch has taped a intimate address about his battle with cancer, which will be broadcast as part of this year's Stand Up To Cancer campaign, run by medical research organisations and a major network.
The royal household said the King would discuss his "recovery journey" as a individual battling cancer, in a recorded address on Friday evening at the evening slot.
The message, filmed within a royal residence a fortnight ago, will emphasise the vital significance of preventative health checks to ensure more people diagnose the disease at an initial point.
This will be a rare update on the health of the Monarch, who has been undergoing regular treatment since the news was shared in early last year. But it is thought doubtful the King will specify his specific form of cancer.
Fundraising Primary Goal
The Stand Up To Cancer campaign each year generates donations for medical research and treatment and encourages people to get check-ups to improve the odds of an timely detection.
The King's public discussion about his health challenge, and living with cancer, has been aimed to promote education and to get more people to get tested - and this will be taken a step further with this unique personal contribution.
To date the King's main approach to his cancer has been to keep working, maintaining a full diary in spite of his frequent sessions of therapy, and he appears not to have sought to be characterised by his diagnosis.
Recently has seen the Sovereign, embarking on several foreign visits, including to Italy and Canada, and receiving the largest volume of inward state visits to the UK for decades, including the German president last week.
Friday's Evening Programme
Friday evening's awareness programme on the network, hosted by well-known figures such as Davina McCall, Adam Hills and Clare Balding, will appeal to people not to be scared of getting health screenings.
All three have been affected by cancer - McCall disclosed in November she had received treatment for breast cancer, while another presenter was overcame the illness in the past. Comedian Adam Hills has previously discussed his father, who had a diagnosis and then later another illness.
The broadcast will reach out to the roughly millions of people in the UK who Cancer Research UK says are not up to date with public health checks, with an website to let people determine if they are qualified for tests for several common cancers.
In an effort to explain health tests and illustrate the value of early diagnosis there will be a direct feed from treatment centres at medical facilities in Cambridge.
"I want to reduce the stigma surrounding cancer screening and show all people that they are not isolated in this," commented a presenter.
Available National Services
Right now in the UK, there are a number of NHS cancer screening programmes - for bowel, breast and cervical cancer - accessible for certain age groups.
A emerging preventative initiative is also being gradually implemented for anyone at high risk of being diagnosed with the illness, specifically targeting people in a specific age bracket, who have a smoking history or used to.
Men may discuss prostate screenings, but there is no national programme in place.
Charitable Impact
The fundraising campaign, which has collected over one hundred million pounds since 2012, is financing multiple clinical trials involving many patients.
The Monarch, in a message for attendees at a event for cancer charities in April, had referred to acknowledging the "intimidating and at times scary situation" for those diagnosed and their loved ones.
But he noted his experience of living with cancer had demonstrated that "the darkest moments of disease can be illuminated by the greatest compassion," as he thanked those who supported those receiving treatment.
Royal representatives has not disclosed the specific type of cancer the King has, or what treatment he has undergone. The King's cancer was detected following he had undergone a prostate procedure.
