King to Deliver First-Hand Address on Illness in TV Address

The Monarch has taped a first-hand account about his experience with cancer, which will be broadcast as part of this year's fundraising initiative, organised by medical research organisations and Channel 4.

Official sources confirmed the King would reflect on his "path to recovery" as a individual battling cancer, in a televised statement on this Friday at the evening slot.

The recording, taped inside Clarence House two weeks ago, will highlight the vital significance of routine screenings to increase the likelihood more people diagnose the condition at an initial point.

This constitutes a rare update on the wellbeing of the Sovereign, who has been receiving ongoing care since revealing his diagnosis in early last year. But it is thought doubtful the King will disclose his particular diagnosis.

The Campaign's Core Mission

The Stand Up To Cancer campaign each year collects money for medical research and treatment and prompts people to get health assessments to increase the odds of an early diagnosis.

The King's relative openness about his condition, and managing the disease, has been aimed to raise awareness and to get more people to get checked - and this will be advanced with this exceptional royal involvement.

So far the King's main approach to his cancer has been to keep working, upholding a hectic timetable alongside his regular rounds of therapy, and he seems not to have wanted to be characterised by his diagnosis.

This year has seen the King, 77, undertaking several overseas trips, including to Italy and Canada, and hosting the biggest number of inward state visits to the UK for a generation, including the German president last week.

The Televised Evening Programme

The upcoming awareness programme on Channel 4, featuring celebrities such as Davina McCall, Adam Hills and Clare Balding, will appeal to people not to be frightened of getting health screenings.

Each presenter have been personally touched by cancer - one host revealed last month she had had an operation for the disease, while Clare Balding was overcame thyroid cancer in the past. Host Adam Hills has previously mentioned his parent, who had one form of cancer and then later leukaemia.

The show will reach out to the approximate 9m people in the UK who charities state are not compliant with public health checks, with an online checker to let people check if they are qualified for examinations for key health indicators.

In an attempt to explain health tests and illustrate the benefit of timely identification there will be a live broadcast from hospital departments at Addenbrooke's and Royal Papworth hospitals in Cambridge.

"I want to take the fear out of cancer screening and show the public that they are not isolated in this," commented a presenter.

Available Health Checks

Currently in the UK, there are three national health screening services - for major health concerns - available to specific demographics.

A emerging scheme for lung health is also being phased in for people at high risk of contracting the condition, focusing on people aged 55-74 years old, who currently smoke or used to.

Men may discuss specific tests, but there is no national programme in place.

Funding Research

The charity project, which has raised a significant sum since 2012, is supporting 73 medical projects encompassing 13,000 patients.

His Majesty, in a statement for guests at a event for related organisations in April, had spoken of acknowledging the "overwhelming and at times frightening situation" for cancer sufferers and their families.

But he said his experience of coping with cancer had shown him that "periods of great challenge of sickness can be illuminated by the support of carers," as he thanked those who looked after cancer patients.

The Palace has not disclosed the specific type of cancer the King has, or what treatment he has been given. The King's cancer was discovered subsequent to he had had a prostate procedure.