King Charles Hails Reduction in Cancer Treatment as Milestone in His Recovery
King Charles delivered a prerecorded video message from Clarence House for Channel 4's Stand Up to Cancer night on 12 December 2025. In the message, he announced that his cancer treatment schedule will be reduced in the new year, moving into a precautionary phase with ongoing monitoring to prioritise his recovery.
He did not disclose the type of cancer but credited early diagnosis and effective intervention with enabling him to maintain a full, active life during treatment. The king called the reduction in treatment a milestone and a personal blessing, highlighting advances in cancer care and aiming to encourage others diagnosed with cancer.
He also underscored the importance of early screening and noted the launch earlier that month of a new national screening checker showing eligibility for breast, bowel, and cervical cancer screening. Approximately 9 million people in the UK were reportedly not up to date with their cancer screenings.
Buckingham Palace stated that King Charles has responded exceptionally well to treatment, with ongoing measures being precautionary and subject to continuous review. The king remains grateful to his medical team and will continue to undertake state duties, public engagements, and overseas tours as part of his recovery.
The palace confirmed that his February 2024 cancer diagnosis was for a benign enlarged prostate and that he does not have prostate cancer. They emphasized that the message was not about prostate screening policy and that the government had been consulted.
The screening checker was developed by Cancer Research UK and Channel 4 for the Stand Up to Cancer campaign. Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, commented that public figures discussing cancer can prompt others to seek medical advice.
