King Charles Hints at His Cancer Diagnosis, Shares Treatment Update: ‘Good News’

When King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer in February 2024 during a routine examination, the palace never revealed what kind, except to clarify that it was not prostate cancer.

But in a pre-recorded televised address to the country on Friday, December 12, he seemingly hinted at what he’s been battling, according to his statement, which was obtained early by journalist Dan Wootton and shared on his Outspoken Substack.

“Early detection is the key that can transform treatment journeys, giving invaluable time to medical teams — and, to their patients, the precious gift of hope,” the king shares, according to Wootton.

“But I have also learned something that troubles me deeply — at least nine million people in our country are not up to date with the cancer screenings available to them. That is at least nine million opportunities for early diagnosis being missed,” he adds.

“To take just one example: When bowel cancer is caught at the earliest stage, around nine in 10 people survive for at least five years. When diagnosed late, that falls to just one in 10. Early diagnosis quite simply saves lives,” the 77-year-old notes.

“I know, too, what a difference it has made in my own case, enabling me to continue leading a full and active life, even while undergoing treatment,” Charles continues. “Indeed, today I am able to share with you the good news that thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to ‘doctors’ orders’, my own schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the New Year.”

Charles goes on to urge people to get screened for breast, cervical and bowel cancers.

“A few moments of minor inconvenience are a small price to pay,” he adds, “for the reassurance that comes for most people when they are either told either they don’t need further tests, or, for some, are given the chance to enable early detection, with the life-saving intervention that can follow.”

To learn about cancer screening suggestions in the U.S., visit the American Cancer Society at cancer.org.