I think it's very strange that they haven't identified the kind of cancer Charles has or the expected course of treatment. He received such praise for being frank about his prostate problems, this is a worrying turn.
I think it's very strange that they haven't identified the kind of cancer Charles has or the expected course of treatment. He received such praise for being frank about his prostate problems, this is a worrying turn.
I think it's fair for the King to keep some aspects of his diagnosis private. I'm sure once he's recovered more details will be released.
I do think it's time to recruit Beatrice and Eugenie. JMHO
There is no need for any sort of regency. The King will be carrying on with state business as usual. He just won't be carrying out public engagements, presumably because he's undergoing a form of treatment which weakens the immune system.
In terms of public engagements, having both the King and the Princess of Wales out of action is going to be difficult, but Kate should be back at work in a couple of months.
The thing is, they've already let the genie out of the bottle by being so open about his prostate problems. Turning around a few weeks later not releasing information makes this problem seem especially concerning.
I respect his right to privacy, but this is a bad situation from a PR perspective.
I think it's very strange that they haven't identified the kind of cancer Charles has or the expected course of treatment. He received such praise for being frank about his prostate problems, this is a worrying turn.
The King contacted both the Duke of Sussex and the Prince of Wales personally to tell them of his cancer diagnosis.
All of the King’s siblings, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and Duke of Edinburgh, were also notified personally by Charles, 75, royal aides confirmed.
The Prime Minister was also informed of his condition.
Prince William, who returns to public duties this week after helping to settle his wife, the Princess of Wales, at home as she recovers from abdominal surgery.
He may also undertake some duties on behalf of his father, in addition to his own diary of engagements, while the King undergoes treatment.
Palace aides said His Majesty was looking forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.
Counsellors of State, those appointed to stand in for the monarch if he is incapacitated, are not expected to be called upon.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman confirmed that the Queen “will continue with a full programme of public duties.”
Similarly, all working members of the Royal family will continue with a full programme of public engagements and may undertake some additional duties on behalf of the monarch as required.
[...]
When patients go into hospital, doctors carry out a number of tests to check they are fit to undergo treatment. It may be that one of those flagged the “issue of concern” referred to in the Palace’s statement. It may also have become apparent during the procedure to deal with the enlarged prostate itself.
Cancers can grow anywhere in the body, including the bladder and bowel, and there are few screening tests available in the UK.
[...]
At the age of 75, Charles is entering the years when people are most likely to develop cancer. In the UK each year more than a third of new cases are in people aged 35 [a typo: should be 75] and over. The highest rates are in the 85-89 age group.
According to Cancer Research UK, the most common cancers among men aged over 75 in the UK are bladder, bowel, lung, melanoma skin cancer and prostate cancer.
Surgery is usually the first treatment to try for most types of the disease, according to the NHS. However, the Palace statement says the King “has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments”, which he is to receive as an outpatient. This suggests another type of cancer treatment such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy or immunotherapy.
Most royal houses wouldn’t even say as much as they did in the statement… I think they have been surprisingly transparent so far…
Had it been for QEII or Prince Philip they would likely not have said anything at all… In best case a short statement that they would be taking some time off to undergo a few neccessary medical procedures with no mention of the c-word…
You're absolutely right that they would not have said anything or mentioned cancer in the past, but for Charles to go so public with his prostate problems just a few days ago only to go silent about what kind of cancer he has is a very worrying choice.
You're absolutely right that they would not have said anything or mentioned cancer in the past, but for Charles to go so public with his prostate problems just a few days ago only to go silent about what kind of cancer he has is a very worrying choice.
I agree and I find this worrying too. They were probably open about the prostate issue because as somebody said earlier, prostate cancer is quite treatable and survivable and - in comparison - less dangerous than other forms.
To say now he has cancer but not giving any details can only mean that it is more serious and could lead to some unpleasant discussions in public.
All the best to King Charles, hopefully the treatment is successful.
You're absolutely right that they would not have said anything or mentioned cancer in the past, but for Charles to go so public with his prostate problems just a few days ago only to go silent about what kind of cancer he has is a very worrying choice.
Eh...I disagree. I don't think it's as big a deal as you're making it.
I think the press would be inquisitive any way the statement was. And I think the Palace doesn't give a flying fig if the press or Twitter runs rampant with theories.
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 more than mildly concerning that they found cancer when they weren’t looking for it and the King was displaying no symptoms of anything. Hopefully it means whatever they found can be quickly dealt with.
Easy treatment and a speedy recovery to His Majesty.
Is this form of cancer benign?
I'm wishing a speedy recovery!