King Charles has said he can “share the good news” that, thanks to early diagnosis and “effective intervention”, his cancer treatment can be scaled back in the new year.
In a recorded message shown on Channel 4 during the Stand Up To Cancer broadcast, the King described the progress as “both a personal blessing and a testimony to the remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care.” The update is the most significant since he announced his diagnosis in February 2024.
Buckingham Palace said the King, 77, has “responded exceptionally well to treatment” and that his recovery has reached a very positive stage. Doctors will move his care into a “precautionary phase” and the frequency of treatment will be significantly reduced. He is not described as being in remission or cured, and monitoring and treatment will continue.
“Today I am able to share with you the good news that thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to ‘doctors’ orders’, my own schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the new year,” the King said. The video was recorded at Clarence House about two weeks ago and was part of the Channel 4 fundraising project run with Cancer Research UK.
The campaign promotes cancer testing and national screening programmes, and the King’s message stressed the importance of checks to catch cancer early. “I know from my own experience that a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming. Yet I also know that early detection is the key that can transform treatment journeys, giving invaluable time to medical teams,” he said. “Your life, or the life of someone you love, may depend upon it.”
The King paid tribute to those involved in cancer care, saying he had been “profoundly moved by what I can only call the ‘community of care’ that surrounds every cancer patient – the specialists, the nurses, researchers and volunteers who work tirelessly to save and improve lives.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the announcement as a “powerful message” and said the country would be glad the King’s treatment will be reduced.
Until recently the King has given few public comments about his illness and has continued working, including overseas travel and hosting state guests. He also attended an Advent service at Westminster Abbey this week, offering a message of hope.
The Stand Up To Cancer show, presented by celebrities including Davina McCall, Adam Hills and Clare Balding, urged people not to be afraid of screening. Cancer Research UK estimates about nine million people in the UK are not up to date with NHS screening schemes. The King said this “troubles me deeply” and encouraged people to use available screening-checker tools to see if they are eligible for tests for breast, bowel and cervical cancer.
He highlighted the impact of early detection with an example: when bowel cancer is caught at the earliest stage, around nine in 10 people survive for at least five years, but that figure falls to about one in 10 when diagnosed late. Royal aides said the King’s reference to bowel cancer should not be taken as an indication of his own condition; prostate cancer has previously been ruled out.
As part of the broadcast, there were live links to cancer clinics at Addenbrooke’s and Royal Papworth hospitals in Cambridge to demystify screening. McCall, who has herself recently had breast cancer surgery, said the aim was to take the fear out of checks and show people they are not alone.
Currently the NHS runs screening programmes for bowel, breast and cervical cancer for certain age groups, and a lung cancer screening programme is being rolled out for people aged 55-74 at high risk due to current or past smoking. There is no national prostate screening programme, though men can discuss checks with their doctors.
Stand Up To Cancer has raised £113m since 2012 and is funding 73 clinical trials involving about 13,000 cancer patients. Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said public figures speaking openly about cancer can encourage others to seek checks. “Spotting cancer early can make a real difference and provides the best chance for successful treatment,” she said.
