Sovereign to Share Personal Statement on Cancer in TV Broadcast
His Majesty has taped a intimate address about his experience with cancer, scheduled for transmission as part of this year's fundraising campaign, run by a leading cancer charity and a major network.
The royal household said the King would talk about his "path to recovery" as a person living with the disease, in a video message on this Friday at 8pm UK time.
The recording, recorded at Clarence House recently, will highlight the importance of cancer screening checks to help guarantee more people detect the illness at an early stage.
This will be a uncommon insight on the health of the Sovereign, who has been undergoing regular treatment since his condition was announced in early last year. Analysts suggest improbable the King will specify his specific form of cancer.
Awareness Central Purpose
The awareness event each year collects money for clinical trials and treatment and encourages people to get screenings to boost the chances of an timely detection.
The King's relative openness about his condition, and living with cancer, has been aimed to raise awareness and to persuade more people to get tested - and this will be advanced with this unique royal involvement.
So far the King's main approach to his cancer has been to continue his schedule, upholding a full diary despite his regular rounds of treatment, and he appears not to have sought to be characterised by his diagnosis.
Recently has seen the 77-year-old Monarch, embarking on several foreign visits, including to Italy and Canada, and receiving the largest volume of inward state visits to the UK for decades, featuring the German president last week.
Charity Special Show
Friday evening's Stand Up to Cancer programme on the network, featuring well-known figures including a team of famous hosts, will appeal to people not to be frightened of getting health screenings.
All three have been had experience with cancer - one host revealed last month she had received treatment for breast cancer, while another presenter was treated for the illness over a decade ago. Host Adam Hills has previously discussed his parent, who had stomach cancer and then later blood cancer.
The show will target the approximate nine million people in the UK who charities state are not compliant with NHS screening schemes, with an digital tool to let people determine if they are eligible for screenings for key health indicators.
In an bid to clarify cancer checks and demonstrate the importance of timely identification there will be a real-time transmission from cancer clinics at Addenbrooke's and Royal Papworth hospitals in Cambridge.
"The goal is to take the fear surrounding preventative tests and show everyone that they are not isolated in this," commented Davina McCall.
Available National Services
At present in the UK, there are several key national health screening services - for specific cancers - offered to certain age groups.
A new scheme for lung health is also being gradually implemented for individuals at high risk of contracting the condition, primarily aimed at people in a specific age bracket, who are smokers or used to.
Individuals may discuss specific tests, but there is lacking a standardised service operational.
Ongoing Efforts
The fundraising campaign, which has raised £113m over the past decade, is funding 73 clinical trials with thousands of patients.
The Monarch, in a address for dignitaries at a reception for cancer charities in April, had spoken of recognising the "intimidating and at times frightening experience" for patients and their support networks.
But he noted his experience of living with cancer had shown him that "the most difficult times of sickness can be illuminated by the support of carers," as he praised those who looked after individuals with the illness.
Royal representatives has not made public the specific type of cancer the King has, or the medical care he has undergone. The King's cancer was identified subsequent to he had received a prostate procedure.