King to Share First-Hand Address on Illness in TV Programme

His Majesty has recorded a first-hand account regarding his battle with cancer, which will be broadcast as part of this year's Stand Up To Cancer campaign, organised by a leading cancer charity and Channel 4.

Buckingham Palace confirmed the King would reflect on his "path to recovery" as a individual battling cancer, in a video message on this Friday at 8pm UK time.

The recording, recorded at a royal residence two weeks ago, will highlight the critical nature of cancer screening checks to help guarantee more people catch the condition at an treatable phase.

This will be a infrequent public commentary on the wellbeing of the Monarch, who has been receiving ongoing care since revealing his diagnosis in early last year. Analysts suggest doubtful the King will identify his type of cancer.

The Campaign's Central Purpose

The Stand Up To Cancer event each year collects money for scientific studies and therapies and urges people to get screenings to increase the probability of an timely detection.

The King's candid approach about his health challenge, and managing the disease, has been aimed to increase understanding and to persuade more people to get tested - and this will be escalated with this unique royal involvement.

Up until now the King's main approach to his cancer has been to maintain his duties, maintaining a hectic timetable in spite of his frequent sessions of therapy, and he seems not to have wanted to be characterised by his diagnosis.

The past twelve months has seen the 77-year-old Monarch, undertaking several international tours, such as visits to Italy and Canada, and hosting the highest tally of inward state visits to the UK for decades, which included the German president last week.

The Televised Evening Programme

This Friday's Stand Up to Cancer broadcast on television, presented by presenters like Davina McCall, Adam Hills and Clare Balding, will urge people not to be afraid of getting health screenings.

Each presenter have been affected by cancer - McCall said in November she had received treatment for breast cancer, while another presenter was overcame a thyroid condition over a decade ago. Host Adam Hills has previously spoken about his late father, who had a diagnosis and then later leukaemia.

The broadcast will appeal to the approximate 9m people in the UK who charities estimate are not up to date with NHS screening schemes, with an online checker to let people determine if they are qualified for screenings for several common cancers.

In an effort to clarify screenings and illustrate the value of prompt detection there will be a direct feed from hospital departments at Addenbrooke's and Royal Papworth hospitals in Cambridge.

"My aim is to reduce the stigma out of cancer screening and show all people that they are not alone in this," said one of the hosts.

Available Health Checks

At present in the UK, there are several key national health screening services - for major health concerns - accessible for certain age groups.

A new lung cancer screening programme is also being slowly rolled out for individuals at high risk of developing the condition, primarily aimed at people of a certain age, who are smokers or were former smokers.

Individuals may enquire about prostate cancer checks, but there is not a universal scheme currently available.

Ongoing Efforts

The charity initiative, which has collected a significant sum since 2012, is supporting dozens of research studies encompassing many patients.

His Majesty, in a statement for guests at a reception for cancer charities in earlier this year, had referred to acknowledging the "daunting and at times scary reality" for patients and their loved ones.

But he stated his first-hand encounter of living with cancer had revealed that "the most difficult times of disease can be alleviated by the kindness of others," as he commended those who supported cancer patients.

The Palace has not revealed the nature of cancer the King has, or what treatment he has been given. The King's cancer was identified subsequent to he had had a prostate procedure.