King Charles III Diagnosed With Cancer

[Katariina]

I think the palace and government have already tacitly signalled that the diagnosis is serious by the briefing that the king personally notified all his siblings (and children), the public statement in the House of Commons, the disclosure that the US president will be calling him, etc.

I too wondered about the reason for avoiding identifying the form of cancer, given the new openness - I fully respect the King's choice not to disclose his specific diagnosis, but since he is willing to let it be known that he has cancer and that it is serious, it must be a different reason why he is keeping it private - and my speculation is that identifying the specific cancer would make it easier for the media and public to begin discussing survival rates for this specific form of cancer, or to discuss anatomical details, which might (understandably) make him more uncomfortable than public discussion of cancer in general.

It does seem like his sacrificing some degree of privacy by revealing that he has cancer is creating publicity about cancer and cancer screening (the cancer charities he and the queen patronize are being widely quoted), so kudos to him.

These were my feelings for me regarding the situation as well. That House of Commons and US president were informed gives the impression that this is series. It doesn’t mean it has to be terribly concerning but it is not something to be dismissed. He has given enough information in any case for us at this point. Prayers from me in any case.

 

[suztav]

The moderators may delete this post and I would understand why. However, I do want to share a personal story that might be relevant given the area of the King's body was "examined" last week.

A few years ago -- in the middle of COVID -- I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Bladder Cancer. I received BCG treatment (it's immunotherapy and you can look it up) once a week for six weeks followed by a cystoscopy. I had a total of 18 treatments. Two rounds of six and then a couple rounds of three treatments.

I was "down" for one day (per treatment) -- no hair loss, no nausea, nothing! Alot of urination

Thankfully ... I am now fine!

Let's all not run to the worse case scenario.

Sending prayers for his speedy recovery.

 

[An Ard Ri]

Some nice words of comfort from the Archbishop of York on the BBC and also from Cardinal Nichols,Archbishop of Westminster, both praying for the King!

 

[Prinsara]

Cancer is never benign. If it had been a benign tumor, it wouldn't have been cancer. Furthermore, the palace chose not to reveal which type of cancer it was nor the stadium it is in, so nobody has any additional information on the specifics.

Some forms (like some skin and others) are relatively benign and/or chronic and can be lived with without either treatment or a disrupted routine. That’s why a “malignant” appellation exists.

To answer doro’s question, given how King Charles is going into almost-immediate treatment, this doesn’t seem to be one of those.

 

[Lilyflo]

The Queen Mother had colon cancer in 1966 and breast cancer in 1984 but nothing was ever revealed publicly. I agree that in 2024, Charles should make his diagnosis public but we don't need to know the details.

Let's hope it's caught early and he has many more years with us.

As a cancer survivor myself (caught early) I urge all of you to have your regular check-ups and don't hesitate to go to your doctor if something doesn't feel right.

 

[Prinsara]

The Queen Mother had colon cancer in 1966

That’s quite something if the Queen Mum had colon cancer (which is still quite serious) back then and lived another 35 years. Charles certainly has largely-stellar DNA working for him.

 

[Mbruno]

Is the King going to be treated entirely out of hospital or a specialized medical facility? That seems to be what has been reported.

 

[Saragli]

Is the King going to be treated entirely out of hospital or a specialized medical facility? That seems to be what has been reported.

Yes, the reports so far indicate he will be treated as an outpatient.

 

[Asteria12]

Alarming news. I hope that treatment goes well and he is back to full health soon.

 

[Mirabel]

Charles is bound to have the very best medical care.
Still, the treatment is apt to be debilitating, and he'll need to reduce his workload.

The RF really needs to call upon some other family members to fill in, even if only temporarily.

 

[travelguy]

Horrible news for him. I sort of know how he feels because I suffered from Cancer in 2020 but clear right now. Hopefully he listens to the advice and takes things slowly and is able to be cared for plus hopefully they caught it early

 

[HRHHermione]

Some forms (like some skin and others) are relatively benign and/or chronic and can be lived with without either treatment or a disrupted routine. That’s why a “malignant” appellation exists.

To answer doro’s question, given how King Charles is going into almost-immediate treatment, this doesn’t seem to be one of those.

Specifically with cancer, the terms benign and malignant don’t mean “good” or “bad.” Somebody is correct that if something is cancerous, it would never be referred to as benign even if the cancer itself is not particularly deadly or concerning. It would be quite confusing to refer to any cancer as “benign” given how the term is used medically.

 

[Prinsara]

Specifically with cancer, the terms benign and malignant don’t mean “good” or “bad.” Somebody is correct that if something is cancerous, it would never be referred to as benign even if the cancer itself is not particularly deadly or concerning. It would be quite confusing to refer to any cancer as “benign” given how the term is used medically.

You’re right, it’s my mistake. Only noncancerous tumors are referred to as benign. The nature of cancer itself means it’s not benign.

There is Stage 1, which while not benign at all, is the least concerning.

 

[Katiedidit]

It sounds like it may have been caught early.
What an awful year so far for the family.
Praying everyone is well soon.

 

[FigTree]

The Queen Mother had colon cancer in 1966 and breast cancer in 1984 but nothing was ever revealed publicly. I agree that in 2024, Charles should make his diagnosis public but we don't need to know the details.

Let's hope it's caught early and he has many more years with us.

As a cancer survivor myself (caught early) I urge all of you to have your regular check-ups and don't hesitate to go to your doctor if something doesn't feel right.

In a time…1966 when the C word certainly meant the end. I doubt it. Where did you hear that?

 

[maria-olivia]

We don't have to speculate about benine or malingnant stage I II III, cancer is cancer. , even in the best hospital cancer is there and hoping a quick recovery , there is never a quick recovery. I will no read this thread because that remembers difficult moments. Ihe King must have been devasted to hear that terrible news after a normal surgery.
A am a cancer survival , but I am not a Head of State.

 

[CrownPrincessJava]

In a time…1966 when the C word certainly meant the end. I doubt it. Where did you hear that?

Here's a 2009 article that says it was in her official biography:

The Queen Mother's secret battle with cancer revealed in official biography

The eeriness of King Charles' cancer announcement is that his grandfather passed away from lung cancer almost 72 years to the day

 

[rominet09]

I am so sorry for him, Camilla and their family. Let's hope for the best.

 

[FigTree]

Here's a 2009 article that says it was in her official biography:

The Queen Mother's secret battle with cancer revealed in official biography

The eeriness of King Charles' cancer announcement is that his grandfather passed away from lung cancer almost 72 years to the day

A very weird article. Just cut it out and off she went. Sure it happens, but in the breast and colon. No other treatment? Strange.

 

[Curryong]

The QM’s treatments are mentioned in Shawcross’s official bio of her. Also in the article below. He stated the Palace had not been forthcoming at the time.

https://www.townandcountrymag.com/s...yal-family-surgery-hospitalizations-history/#

 

[Prinsara]

Here's a 2009 article that says it was in her official biography:

The Queen Mother's secret battle with cancer revealed in official biography

The eeriness of King Charles' cancer announcement is that his grandfather passed away from lung cancer almost 72 years to the day

Oh dear, and according to the Hardman book he feels very linked to his grandfather… Whom he’s outlived by a couple decades at this point.

 

[Camm2]

I can only hope and pray Charles has a full and swift recovery.

 

[Prinsara]

Well-wishes from the US President:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1754611545558974857

 

[kalnel]

I think the palace and government have already tacitly signalled that the diagnosis is serious by the briefing that the king personally notified all his siblings (and children), the public statement in the House of Commons, the disclosure that the US president will be calling him, etc.

I too wondered about the reason for avoiding identifying the form of cancer, given the new openness - I fully respect the King's choice not to disclose his specific diagnosis, but since he is willing to let it be known that he has cancer and that it is serious, it must be a different reason why he is keeping it private - and my speculation is that identifying the specific cancer would make it easier for the media and public to begin discussing survival rates for this specific form of cancer, or to discuss anatomical details, which might (understandably) make him more uncomfortable than public discussion of cancer in general.

It does seem like his sacrificing some degree of privacy by revealing that he has cancer is creating publicity about cancer and cancer screening (the cancer charities he and the queen patronize are being widely quoted), so kudos to him.

It's tough to balance personal privacy and the public's desire to know. And, yes, the king has a right to privacy.

But, several of his colleagues have had cancer in recent years and announced it publicly without triggering endless speculation. King Harald of Norway, Queen Margrethe of Denmark, and Emperor Akihito of Japan all had cancer diagnoses while in office. Non-royal heads of state have had cancer while in office, too.

I have to think that not laying out the details invites more speculation in the long run. Perhaps he will reveal more in time and we'll understand the decision. In the meantime, though, it's a bad call.

 

[Iluvbertie]

All we need to know is that he has cancer. What type of cancer is nobody's business but his and his immediate family's. Anyone who wants to know that sort of detail is simply a busybody with no respect for the rights of other people.

 

[Prisma]

Very sad news. I wish King Charles a full recovery. Hoping any side-effects from treatment are minimal and temporary.

 

[HenRach Dominion]

As someone whose mother is a cancer survivor and who lost both a godfather and an aunt to cancer, my heart and prayers go out to HM The King and everyone in his family.

As someone said above, it doesn't matter how survivable a cancer is, how quickly it's caught and dealt with, how easy it is to get back to life, cancer is cancer. It will always be hard and scary for those going through it and their loved ones.

I especially am thinking of HRH The Prince of Wales. To have to support a gravelly ill wife, a possibly gravelly ill father, three young children who are probably beside themselves, and a kingdom that he, god forbid, may have to inherit long before he's ready, long before his children are adults, and without the immediate assistance from his convalescing wife.

 

[Moonmaiden23]

King Charles has cultivated a very healthy lifestyle for his entire life. He abhors cigarettes, maintains a fit physique and reportedly eats organic food.

I agree that no one at any time wants to hear the "C" word but I have to believe that with the best medical care possible and with his healthy lifestyle he can come back from this.

I am simply not going to allow myself to think otherwise.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Let's hope it's caught early [...]

I think the official announcement did state, in an roundabout manner, that the cancer was caught early: It states that medical "swift intervention" was possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, and it also states that the cancer was detected during the hospital procedure - so, the swift medical intervention was possible due to the timing of the detection, implying it was early on.

"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. [...] The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure."

https://www.royal.uk/a-statement-from-buckingham-palace-5Feb24

 

[HRHHermione]

A very weird article. Just cut it out and off she went. Sure it happens, but in the breast and colon. No other treatment? Strange.

She was treated in 1966 and 1984 respectively- surgical resection and watchful waiting would likely have been the standard of care then, especially for a small tumor. Treatments were not nearly as advanced.