Awareness Is Key
- King Charles III, 77, father-in-law to Kate Middleton, has revealed positive developments in his health, noting that his progress means his cancer treatments can be scaled back in 2026.
- At 77, King Charles III is still undergoing treatment for a form of cancer that was identified last year while addressing his enlarged prostate. Despite not sharing the type of cancer or specifics on his treatment plan, the King’s health is certainly improving.
- In March 2024, the Princess of Wales shared her cancer diagnosis, and last September she confirmed that she is now in remission. While she did not provide specifics about the cancer or treatment, she noted that chemotherapy was part of her care.
- Keeping up with all recommended medical screenings, like King Charles and Kate Middleton have done, is an effective way to stay on top of your health, whether it’s a mammogram, Pap smear, colonoscopy, prostate exam, lung scan, or skin check with a dermatologist.
In a special message from The King for Stand Up To Cancer, shared on Friday, King Charles said, “Today, I am able to share with you the good news that thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to doctor’s orders, my own schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the new year.
Read MoreKing Charles then expressed his wish, which is to “give encouragement to the 50%” of people who will be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime.
The King also insisted the “early detection saves lives,” noting how he’s heard that phrases repeatedly while visiting cancer centers across the U.K., and how much it holds true to him.
He highlighted how early detection has allowed him to stay active and fully engaged, even during the course of his treatment—which he hasn’t told the public specifics. It’s also unclear what type of cancer he’s battling.
King Charles spoke in an effort to promote Stand Up To Cancer’s new online screening checker, which helps people see if they’re eligible for breast, bowel, or cervical cancer screening programs, and gives trusted guidance from Cancer Research UK, while also connecting users with further support if needed.
“This simple tool demystifies the process, answers your questions and guides you to taking that crucial step,” he said.
“As I have observed before, the darkest moment of illness a can be illuminated by the greatest compassion … but compassion must be paired with action.”
The Head of the British monarchy continued, “This December, as we gather to reflect on the year past. I pray that we could each pledge as part of our resolutions for the year ahead, to play our part in helping to catch cancer early.”
“Your life, or the life of someone you life may depend upon it,” he urged, before sharing his gratitude.
Expert Resources On Cancer Screenings
- Colon Cancer Screening is Extremely Important; Guidelines Now Say to Start at Age 45 if There Is No Family History
- Bi-Annual Mammograms At Age 40 Now Recommended For Most Women, What The New Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines Mean For You
- More Men Are Dying from Melanoma Because They Don’t Use Sunscreen; How to Check for and Prevent Skin Cancer
- New Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines Recommend HPV & Pap Testing Now Start at Age 25
- The PSA Blood Test and a Rectal Exam are Vital for Prostate Cancer Screening
“Therefore, this brings my most heartfelt thanks to the doctors, nurses, researchers, and charity workers involved in diagnosis and treatment programs,” King Charles concluded.
“And with my particular good wishes to those for whom they care so selflessly.”
King Charles Is Battling An Undisclosed Type of Cancer
King Charles has been undergoing treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer which doctors found while treating his enlarged prostate.
RELATED: Cancer Care Teams Attack Cancer from All Sides: A Breakdown of Who’s In Your Corner
The King’s cancer journey has been ongoing 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.”
View this post on Instagram
Kate Middleton’s Battle With Cancer
As Catherine, Princess of Wales, widely known as Kate Middleton, also hasn’t revealed what type of cancer she recently battled.
Middleton shared news of her remission September 2024 with an emotional post on social media displaying a video with her family out in nature.
“As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,” Middleton says in the footage.
“The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown.”
View this post on Instagram
“The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you,” she continued.
The royal mom of two had previously shared that post-operative testing after “major abdominal surgery” revealed that cancer “had been present” in her body.
“With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything,” she explained.
Middleton went on to say her health journey “has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved.”
Announcing her newfound mission, she said that “doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.”
The Choice to Share
The choice to share or not share one’s cancer diagnosis is a personal one for anyone facing the disease, even if they’re not a celebrity. While some people choose to share only with close friends and family, others post their entire journey on social media, create blogs and detail their treatments, side effects and doctor reports.
Survivor Lauren Chiarello talks about staying present in the moment while battling cancer.
According to Dr. Renee Exelbert, a licensed psychologist and founding director of The Metamorphosis Center for Psychological and Physical Change in New York, the decision to openly disclose or not disclose one’s diagnosis may be made more complicated for someone in the public eye, as they may feel pressure to serve as a role model, or to use their notable platform for the greater good.
She says public figures and celebrities are often held to a harsher standard, frequently having their appearance and behaviors rigorously evaluated. This might make hiding a cancer diagnosis more difficult and may also make disclosing a cancer diagnosis a greater burden to bear.
Also, just because someone is a public figure or celebrity does not spare them from judgment and the insensitive comments of others, especially while they may be fighting for their life.
Dr. Exelbert says the decision to disclose or not disclose a cancer diagnosis is a very individual and personal one in any case.
“Certain Individuals may feel as though their sense of self has been deeply impacted by their diagnosis, and they want to keep it private. At their core, certain individuals may struggle with appearing weak, vulnerable or sick, and particularly do not want to withstand the opinion or commentary of others while facing a cancer diagnosis,” she explained.
“Additionally, some may feel that revealing a cancer diagnosis may pose a threat to their sense of professional identity and how capable they are perceived by others.”
Dr. Exelbert also said some may feel they don’t have the coping resources to withstand scrutiny, whereas others may welcome the distraction and attention. Most importantly, however, she said there is no right or wrong approach.
“When an individual experiences trauma, which cancer certainly is, they need to be in charge of how their story is told in order to avoid further disempowerment. “Thus, the decision to disclose or not to disclose should be wholly and rightfully left up to each individual.”
So, is one way more beneficial than the other? Dr. Exelbert says there are pros and cons to sharing.
“A positive aspect of sharing one’s diagnosis on social media is the potential to receive an outpouring of support, occasionally from people all over the world who have experienced something similar, and who may be able to offer useful suggestions,” Exelbert says. “Additionally, someone’s unique story may catch the attention of those performing clinical trials or offering unique treatment options, looking for participants.”
She said the ability to inspire countless people with one’s experience and story can also be a very powerful motivating factor.
Learn to Accept Yourself — A Huge Part of Living With Cancer
“Some individuals are looking to chronicle their journey, almost as testament to what they have experienced and to leave a legacy. It might additionally be beneficial to publicly share one’s story, as it can serve as a platform to educate others about cancer and its emotional and physical symptoms, as well as challenge stigma and change society.”
On the other hand, she says a con of revealing one’s diagnosis on social media is that people may share unsolicited stories of poor outcomes that they have either heard about, or experienced personally, many of which are unrelated to your particular situation. For example, some may tell you they know someone who had the same type of cancer, but died, which can be overwhelming and create undue stress.
“Additionally, once you share your diagnosis, you often have to manage the emotional experience of others,” Dr. Exelbert told SurvivorNet. “Sometimes, people will be very upset by your diagnosis and need you to take care of them or make your situation easier for them to deal with. This can prove quite difficult when you are barely in control of managing your own emotions. Further, many individuals might find it quite difficult to present themselves in such a vulnerable way on social media, as many often utilize this medium to garner accolades from presenting their ‘ideal self’ versus their ‘real self.’”
No matter what someone’s choice is when it comes to sharing a cancer diagnosis, the most important thing is that they feel support. For some, support from a few close friends, family members or professionals may be enough, while others need to feel connected on a larger scale. The last thing anyone needs is to be made to feel bad about that choice.
It’s important to remember that due to cancer treatment not being a one size fits all approach, it affects everyone different mentally, and not everyone feels comfortable sharing what they are going through with others in social situations.
Do I need to share my diagnosis with others? Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik weighs in.
Some people want to share their experiences as much as they can and others don’t want to tell anyone. Both of these approaches, and everything in between (maybe you only want to tell a few close friends about your diagnosis), are valid.
“Patients who have just been diagnosed with cancer sometimes wonder how they are going to handle the diagnosis of the cancer in social situations,” psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik explained to SurvivorNet in an earlier interview.
“How much information they should share and with whom they should share the information … everybody is different.”
Dr. Plutchik explains that some share the information widely, with family, friends, and beyond and feel comfortable doing so. “Other people are much more private about it,” she says. “And there is no one right way to handle this diagnosis.
“People should do what feels right to them. Going through a cancer diagnosis, through treatment, is often a very long process. And then if you also include after treatment ends where a person is in a kind of state of limbo, waiting to see if they are clear and get their scans. It may be three months or six months into the future. People are still dealing with uncertainty at that point,” she explains.
Dr. Plutchik also stresses that those close to a person going through cancer should be respectful of their wishes when it comes to disclosing their diagnosis and seeking support.
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.
“…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.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
