King to Share First-Hand Address on Illness in Nationwide Programme

His Majesty has taped a intimate address regarding his journey with cancer, set to air as part of this year's fundraising initiative, organised by Cancer Research UK and Channel 4.

Official sources said the King would discuss his "healing process" as a cancer patient, in a televised statement on this Friday at the evening slot.

The recording, taped inside Clarence House recently, will stress the importance of preventative health checks to help guarantee more people detect the disease at an early stage.

This represents a infrequent public commentary on the medical condition of the Sovereign, who has been undergoing regular treatment since his condition was announced in early last year. However, it is believed unlikely the King will disclose his type of cancer.

Awareness Core Mission

The annual charity campaign each year raises funds for scientific studies and patient care and urges people to get health assessments to boost the probability of an timely detection.

The King's public discussion about his condition, and managing the disease, has been intended to increase understanding and to persuade more people to get tested - and this will be taken a step further with this unique direct participation.

To date the King's primary strategy to his cancer has been to continue his schedule, preserving a hectic timetable alongside his frequent sessions of therapy, and he appears not to have desired to be overshadowed by his condition.

Recently has seen the Sovereign, taking several overseas trips, notably to Italy and Canada, and welcoming the largest volume of official guests to the UK for a generation, including the German president in recent days.

Charity Special Show

Friday evening's charity programme on the network, hosted by presenters like Davina McCall, Adam Hills and Clare Balding, will appeal to people not to be frightened of getting health screenings.

Each presenter have been affected by cancer - McCall revealed last month she had had an operation for the disease, while Clare Balding was overcame thyroid cancer over a decade ago. Comedian Hills has previously spoken about his parent, who had stomach cancer and then later blood cancer.

The show will appeal to the approximate 9m people in the UK who charities says are not compliant with public health checks, with an online checker to let people check if they are qualified for tests for breast, bowel and cervical cancer.

In an bid to clarify health tests and show the value of timely identification there will be a live broadcast from hospital departments at medical facilities in Cambridge.

"I want to reduce the stigma from preventative tests and show all people that they are not alone in this," said Davina McCall.

The Landscape of Health Checks

Right now in the UK, there are three national health screening services - for major health concerns - offered to specific demographics.

A new preventative initiative is also being phased in for people at increased risk of contracting the illness, specifically targeting people aged 55-74 years old, who are smokers or have smoked in the past.

Male patients may enquire about prostate cancer checks, but there is lacking a standardised service operational.

Ongoing Efforts

The Stand Up to Cancer campaign, which has generated £113m over the past decade, is financing 73 medical projects involving many patients.

His Majesty, in a statement for dignitaries at a reception for cancer charities in April, had spoken of recognising the "overwhelming and at times alarming reality" for cancer sufferers and their support networks.

But he noted his experience of living with cancer had demonstrated that "the most difficult times of illness can be brightened by the support of carers," as he thanked those who looked after those receiving treatment.

Royal representatives has not disclosed what kind of cancer the King has, or the medical care he has undergone. The King's cancer was identified after he had undergone a routine operation.