King Charles Says Battling Cancer Can Be An ‘Experience That Brings Into Sharp Focus The Very Best Of Humanity’

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He continued, “It has certainly given me an even deeper appreciation of the extraordinary work undertaken by the remarkable organizations and individuals gathered here this evening, many of whom I have known, visited and supported over the years.

“And it has reinforced what I have long observed during these visits – that the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion.”

In an effort to further express his gratitude to anyone working to help those affected by cancer, King Charles III praised the  “community of care” that helps patients through adversity.

RELATED: King Charles Apologizes Over Schedule Change To Focus On His Health Amid ‘Temporary’ Side Effects From Cancer Treatment

After praising the “profound impact of human connection,” King Charles continued, “So to all the researchers pursuing pioneering breakthroughs; to the healthcare professionals providing specialist treatment; to the volunteers offering comfort, or campaigning to raise awareness; and to the fundraisers enabling all this vital work – you have my whole family’s deepest admiration and gratitude.

“Your commitment to early diagnosis, evermore successful therapies and truly holistic care represents the very best our country can offer.”

The King concluded, “And to those who may be receiving such upsetting news today, tomorrow or at any point in the future, I can only echo the departing words of the late Dame Deborah James, whose parents I am delighted to have with us here this evening, and whose example stands as an inspiration to us all, in sickness and in health:

“‘Find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope.'”

RELATED: Cancer Care Teams Attack Cancer from All Sides: A Breakdown of Who’s In Your Corner

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The King’s cancer journey has been ongoing and since a Feb. 5, 2024 statement from Buckingham Palace, reading, “During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.

“His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties. Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.”

It continued, “The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.

“His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.”

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How Can Cancer Survivors Advocate For Themselves?

You know your body better than anybody else. That’s why it’s so important to advocate for yourself in a healthcare setting. This applies to anyone experiencing new symptoms and looking for an answer, as well as people who have already been diagnosed with serious diseases like cancer. Doctors are there to guide you through a treatment plan, but your wants and needs should be part of that plan as well. Oncologists and survivors alike stress the importance of advocating for yourself.

This could mean asking additional questions about symptoms or a diagnosis, getting a second opinion, or doing your own research so you can come to doctor appointments prepared to voice your concerns.

Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal cancer surgeon and Director of the Cedars-Sinai Colorectal Cancer Center, previously told SurvivorNet that patients even before a serious diagnosis should head to every doctor’s appointment prepared to take charge.

Have a plan for doctor appointments

“The truth is, you have to be in tune with your body and you have to realize that you are not a statistic,” Dr. Murrell said. “You are not necessarily going to fit into [guidelines].” So, if you have symptoms of colon cancer such as a change in bowel habits or blood in the stool that means you should not avoid a colonoscopy just because you are not the recommended screening age of 50 years old yet, he said.

Colorectal cancer surgeon Dr. Zuri Murrell explains why advocating for yourself is crucial if you’re experiencing new symptoms.  

“…You should lead each doctor’s appointment with a plan,” he added. “So if I, a 40-year-old, come into a doctor’s office and say, ‘I’m having rectal bleeding. This is new for me.’ The doctor says, ‘You know what? It’s probably hemorrhoids.’ First of all, I think, did they examine me? And a lot of times, especially if you’re a male, you’re actually happy that they didn’t examine you, but that’s not necessarily the right thing to do.”

The takeaway here is to not let doctors brush off symptoms you may be experiencing. Dr. Murrell recommends asking for a plan. For example, if you doctor thinks symptoms are due to hemorrhoids, what’s the plan if they persist after a month of medication? It’s all a part of being proactive. Another important part in many cases is getting a second opinion.

Patient Adherence To Treatment Plans

Although we can’t confirm what type of cancer treatment King Charles is undergoing, we do want to point out the importance of patient adherence to treatment plans is crucial in battling disease or disease management. A regular treatment plan is also imperative to one’s health and overall happiness.

However, for anyone undergoing chemotherapy treatment via infusion, those types of medications are often delivered on a weekly basis.

According to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, “If you have chemotherapy by infusion, the medication is delivered to your bloodstream through a needle in a vein from your arm or a central line. You might also receive supportive medications or treatments (such as hydration) by infusion.”

The American Cancer Society (ACS) explains, “Many types of chemo are given as an infusion or injection. With chemo infusions, chemotherapy drugs are put into your body through a thin tube called a catheter that’s placed in a vein, artery, body cavity, or body part. In some cases, a chemo drug may be injected quickly with a syringe.”

As for where a patient has to go for chemotherapy infusion or injection, it all depends on the types of drugs, doses, hospital policies, and insurance coverage.

ACS says this type of chemotherapy may be administered at home, in your doctor’s office, in a clinic, in a hospital’s outpatient infusion center, or in a hospital.

RELATED: What Type of Chemo Will I Get?

When it comes to how often the treatment is needed, it all depends on the type of cancer, drugs being used, treatment goals, and how your body reacts to the treatment.

The ACS explains further, “You may get treatments daily, weekly, or monthly, but they’re usually given in on-and-off cycles. This means, for example, that you may get chemo the first 2 weeks and then have a week off, making it a cycle that will start over every 3 weeks. The time off lets your body build healthy new cells and regain its strength.

“Your cancer care team can tell you how many cycles are planned and how long they expect your treatment to last.”

“Many people wonder how long the actual drugs stay in their body and how they’re removed. Your kidneys and liver break down most chemo drugs which then leave your body through urine or stool. How long it takes your body to get rid of the drugs depends on many things, including the type of chemo you get, other medicines you take, your age, and how well your kidneys and liver work. Your cancer care team will tell you if you need to take any special precautions because of the drugs you are getting,” the ACS adds.

“If your cancer comes back, you might have chemo again. This time, you could be given different drugs to relieve symptoms or to slow the cancer’s growth or spread. Side effects might be different, depending on the drugs, the doses, and how they’re given.”

Additionally, we admire how King Charles has a travel doctor during his getaways, which remind us about the importance of a doctor-patient relationship.

Although there will always be limitations on how much time a doctor can spend with any given patient, the doctor-patient relationship is extremely important after a cancer diagnosis says Dr. Nina Shah, a hematologist at UCSF Medical Center. You’ll want to make sure you are working with a doctor you trust, who will respect your opinion and keep you informed about all of the treatment options for your particular diagnosis.

The Doctor-Patient Relationship

You’ll also want to know about your doctors credentials. It’s very important that your doctor is board-certified in treating cancer. This proves that your doctor has special expertise in cancer.

And you may even want to find someone who is board-certified in treating your specific cancer. Experience is also important. You want a doctor who has seen and treated a lot of people with your cancer. Such a doctor is more likely to be up-to-date on the standard and experimental treatments currently available.

WATCH: What should you consider when choosing your care team?

Power of Support

If you were recently diagnosed with cancer, you likely know about the wide range of emotions that news can bring. This is one of the most challenging phases of the cancer journey to overcome.

However, a team of supporters can be most useful during these early stages. Your supporters can be close family members and friends or people from outside your inner circle.

WATCH: Sharing details about your cancer diagnosis.

“Some people don’t need to go outside their family and friends circle. They feel like they have enough support there,” New York-based psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik tells SurvivorNet.

“But for people who feel like they need a little bit more, it is important to reach out to a mental health professional,” she added.

One benefit of having supporters is that they can help alleviate stress and anxiety following your diagnosis and advocate for you during treatment.

Sometimes, it is not always easy to share news you have cancer, even among loved ones. In such instances, you can seek a trained professional to center your support group around. Mental health professionals can help fill this space because many are trained to help you navigate your cancer treatment.

“Make sure that the mental health professional that you work with is reaching out with your consent to the rest of your team, to the oncologist, to the surgeon, it can also be helpful to reach out to family, friends, and any other caretakers that may be involved in the person’s treatment,” Dr. Plutchik said.

Dr. Plutchki recommends cancer patients consider the following three steps to get the help they need after a diagnosis:

• Step #1: Seek additional support if you need it (this could mean speaking to a mental health professional or seeking out a support group)
• Step #2: Look for a mental health professional with experience helping people in your situation.
• Step #3: Keep your care team connected. This may include your friends and loved ones, your therapist, and the doctors who are treating your cancer.

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

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