Working Through Cancer
- As King Charles III continues on his battle against an undisclosed type of cancer, his wife, Queen Camilla, insists the 76-year-old monarch “loves” fulfilling his royal duties and it keeps him powering through the disease he’s combatting.
- The King is undergoing treatment for cancer after doctors discovered it while treating his enlarged prostate last February, something that occurs in most men as they age. It was previously reported that his health is “moving in a positive direction,” however, the specific type of treatment plan he is on hasn’t been disclosed.
- People who work in the oncology field, doctors and social workers, have told SurvivorNet that they recommend working during cancer treatment if you can.
- Whether for financial reasons, a sense of normalcy, or simply because you like what you do, it’s important to make a work schedule that suits you during your cancer journey.
It’s been reported that the 76-year-old monarch wants to keep doing “more and more” because he “loves his work,” according to his beloved wife.
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She continued, “That’s what he’s driven by – helping others.”
Additionally, when the Queen felt others were alluding to the King lightening his workload during his cancer treatment, she insisted, “dream on.”
Meanwhile, senior Palace official reportedly said about King Charles’ willingness to stay busy, “He knows he is fortunate to be in a position to make a difference, and is determined to do just that.”
The King doesn’t seem to be stepping back from his duties, and the official noted that even though those around him have “tried” to make him change his mind, the source said, “But as people will have seen the King enjoys his work, he enjoys engaging with as many people as possible.”
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The report comes just days after the King and Queen of the United Kingdom celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.
King Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles wed in a civil ceremony on April 9, 2005, and commemorated their relationship 20 years later, during their visit to Italy, where they met Pope Francis.
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It was also during that trip that, following a tree-planting event at a villa in Rome, the King reportedly commented on his life expectancy.
As per the Daily Mail, King Charles said, “Well I do hope that I shall live long enough to see a little bit of growth in the tree.”
He spoke of his own mortality shortly after apologizing for canceling plans while coping with treatment side effects amid his fight against an undisclosed type of cancer which was discovered while treating his enlarged prostate.
The King ultimately needed to take time for his health and cancel any obligatory engagements he had due to the “temporary side effects” he endured, which “required a short period of observation in hospital,” as per a statement by Buckingham Palace, according to PA Media.
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We’re so happy to see King Charles following through with his work and travel duties while undergoing cancer treatment, especially since hearing that his cancer battle was “moving in a positive direction,” as per NBC News who spoke with a Buckingham Palace insider. His condition was being “managed” and his treatment plan was set to “continue into the next year,” it was reported at the end of 2024.
Choosing to Continue Working During Cancer Treatment
King Charles III’s decision to keep working, albeit in a light manner, is something many SurvivorNet experts recommend patients do if they can continue to work.
“We always encourage people to continue to work if they can,” says Sarah Stapleton, a clinical social worker at Montefiore Medical Center.
“I think it creates a sense of normalcy for patients.”
If you’re able to work, you’ll be busy, and you may not be worrying all the time about how your treatment is going, Stapleton adds.
Sometimes, cancer can make you feel isolated and lonely, and being around people for work can alleviate feelings of loneliness.
It would be best to talk with your doctor before continuing to work during treatment. Ask your physician what you can and cannot do so you don’t disrupt ongoing treatment.
Remember, sometimes cancer treatment can cause fatigue, leaving you unable to fulfill your duties as you once could.
Fortunately, some on-the-job accommodations can make working during cancer treatment much easier.
While King Charles III may not need to worry about assurance regarding on-the-job accommodation, ensuring accommodations is an important issue for everyday people.
WATCH: Choosing to Work During Cancer Treatment
The Rehabilitation Act or the Americans with Disabilities Act protects people with job problems related to cancer. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) may also benefit others. This law allows many people with serious illnesses to take unpaid leave to get medical care or manage their symptoms.
Your human resources department should be able to share with you your options.
In some situations, employers must accommodate a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless the employer can show it would be an undue hardship to do so. This could mean making changes to work schedules, equipment, or policies.
Laurie Ostacher, a behavioral health clinician at Stanford Health Care, recommends that cancer patients discuss accommodations they may need upon returning to work with their employers.
“Patients need to let their employer know [they’re] going to need some flexibility… Because there are going to be days when you’re not as energetic or feeling as well as other days,” Ostacher explained.
Screening for Prostate Cancer
Although King Charles III did not have prostate cancer, regular screening of his prostate helped lead to his latest diagnosis. By bravely sharing his condition, he’s encouraged many men to undergo prostate cancer screening.
When you do get screened for prostate cancer, your doctor will run a few tests.
One of the tests is the PSA test, a simple blood test that screens for prostate cancer. It looks for larger amounts of protein-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. An elevated PSA test does not always mean you have prostate cancer. It could also reflect that your prostate is enlarged, which is common, or it could signal an infection or inflammation.
Your doctor may also conduct a digital rectal exam (DRE) to check your prostate for lumps.
Depending on the results of these tests, imaging scans and a biopsy may be ordered.
WATCH: How Gleason Grade Determines Treatment
After tests, your doctor analyzes the results to give you a Gleason Score. This score ranges from 6 to 10. The higher the score, the more aggressive the cancer.
This score, along with your other test results, helps doctors determine if your cancer is “low risk,” “intermediate risk,” or “high risk.”
Prostate cancer does not always behave the same in every man it impacts. The cancer can be considered “low-risk” and can be slow-growing, and treatment might not be necessary. In other men, the cancer may grow faster or more aggressively, requiring more immediate treatment. Because of this, there is some debate about screening.
The United States Preventive Services Taskforce recommends men at average risk between the ages of 55-69 years old should talk with their doctor about the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening. Most doctors agree that men over the age of 70 do not need screening.
SurvivorNet experts suggested that men consider factors like their family history, genes, and age when deciding whether and when to screen.
Symptoms of prostate cancer may include:
- Urinating more often
- Waking up in the middle of the night to pee
- Blood in your urine
- Trouble getting an erection
- Pain or burning when you urinate
- Pain in your back, hips, thighs, or other bones
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
Questions for Your Doctor
If you have experienced symptoms associated with prostate cancer or have a screening coming up, here are some questions you may ask your doctor:
- If I have elevated PSA levels, what could be causing that besides cancer?
- How long will it take to learn if my PSA levels warrant further testing?
- What are the treatment options that are best suited for me based on my risk level?
- What financial resources exist to help me with the costs associated with treatment?
- How long will my potential treatment prevent me from working or continuing normal activities?
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
