Monarch to Share Personal Statement on Illness in Nationwide Address

His Majesty has recorded a personal message regarding his journey with cancer, set to air as part of this year's Stand Up To Cancer drive, organised by Cancer Research UK and Channel 4.

The royal household said the King would discuss his "healing process" as a cancer patient, in a video message on Friday evening at the evening slot.

The recording, taped inside Clarence House recently, will highlight the vital significance of preventative health checks to ensure more people catch the illness at an treatable phase.

This represents a rare update on the wellbeing of the King, who has been in a course of therapy since revealing his diagnosis in early last year. But it is thought doubtful the King will specify his specific form of cancer.

Fundraising Central Purpose

The Stand Up To Cancer event each year raises funds for medical research and treatment and urges people to get screenings to boost the chances of an early diagnosis.

The King's public discussion about his illness, and living with cancer, has been designed to promote education and to encourage more people to get checked - and this will be advanced with this unique direct participation.

To date the King's key philosophy to his cancer has been to maintain his duties, upholding a full diary despite his ongoing course of care, and he is understood not to have wanted to be overshadowed by his condition.

This year has seen the Sovereign, undertaking several international tours, including to Italy and Canada, and welcoming the highest tally of inward state visits to the UK for a generation, including the German president in recent days.

Friday's Broadcast Event

This Friday's charity broadcast on television, hosted by celebrities including Davina McCall, Adam Hills and Clare Balding, will appeal to people not to be afraid of getting preventative tests.

All three have been affected by cancer - Davina McCall revealed in November she had had an operation for breast cancer, while another presenter was overcame the illness over a decade ago. Comedian Adam Hills has previously spoken about his father, who had stomach cancer and then later blood cancer.

The broadcast will reach out to the roughly 9m people in the UK who health organisations says are not compliant with public health checks, with an website to let people see if they are qualified for examinations for key health indicators.

In an effort to clarify cancer checks and show the importance of prompt detection there will be a direct feed from hospital departments at medical facilities in Cambridge.

"My aim is to reduce the stigma out of preventative tests and prove all people that they are not isolated in this," commented Davina McCall.

Available Health Checks

At present in the UK, there are a number of publicly available checks - for major health concerns - offered to specific demographics.

A emerging preventative initiative is also being gradually implemented for individuals at increased risk of contracting the disease, focusing on people in a specific age bracket, who are smokers or used to.

Men may request prostate screenings, but there is not a universal scheme operational.

Charitable Impact

The Stand Up to Cancer initiative, which has collected over one hundred million pounds for many years, is funding multiple clinical trials with many patients.

King Charles, in a message for guests at a gathering for related organisations in April, had discussed acknowledging the "overwhelming and at times alarming experience" for patients and their loved ones.

But he said his first-hand encounter of managing cancer had demonstrated that "periods of great challenge of illness can be alleviated by the kindness of others," as he praised those who cared for individuals with the illness.

The Palace has not revealed what kind of cancer the King has, or the medical care he has been given. The King's cancer was detected following he had undergone a medical treatment.