King Charles has a longstanding history of supporting cancer patients and charities – who are now rallying around him following his own shock diagnosis.
Charles has met hundreds of people suffering from the disease, which he once described as ‘beastly’ in a letter to someone who had just been diagnosed.
The 75-year-old has been patron of Macmillan Cancer Support for more than 20 years, and during that time has visited its centres in Glasgow, Glamorgan and Camden in north London. He is also the patron of two breast cancer charities.
The monarch’s dedication to advocating for cancer patients is matched by his wife, Queen Camilla, who last Monday attended the official launch of Maggie’s cancer support centre at London’s Royal Free Hospital.
Kristina Kyriacou, the King’s former communications secretary, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011 and today described the warm support he offered her.
Charles meets Robert Mawhinney on a tour of the North West Cancer Centre at Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry during a visit to Northern Ireland on May 9, 2017
Charles, while Prince of Wales, chats with Maggie Sinclair at the Sydney Cancer Centre in the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital March 4, 2005
Kristina Kyriacou, the King’s former communications secretary, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011 and today described the support he offered her
She told Good Morning Britain: ‘When the King found out he immediately was very concerned that I had the best advice and asked if there was anything he could do.
‘I think he realised I had the same indefatigable spirit and working as hard as I did was keeping me positive.’
The cancer charities that Charles has supported over the decades were among those to sent their best wishes to him today.
Macmillan said: ‘Our thoughts are with His Majesty the King and his family.
‘We are sending our best wishes at what we know must be an incredibly challenging time.’
Maggie’s cancer support chief executive Dame Laura Lee said of the announcement: ‘We are incredibly sorry to hear the King’s news and our thoughts are with him.
‘We also know how challenging and worrying a time a cancer diagnosis can be for the whole family and our thoughts are very much with our president, Her Majesty the Queen.’
Professor Pat Price, founder of the Catch Up With Cancer campaign, said the outpouring of well wishes ‘reflects the collective concern we all share’.
She added: ‘The King’s openness about his battle with cancer is a powerful reminder that one in two of us may face cancer at some point in our lives.’
Judi Rhys, chief executive of Tenovus Cancer Care, of which the Princess Royal is patron, said: ‘We are saddened to hear of the King’s cancer diagnosis and wish him all the best with his treatment and recovery.
‘Our thoughts are with the whole of the royal family including our patron HRH the Princess Royal.’
The type of cancer Charles has been diagnosed with is not yet known. Rishi Sunak said the diagnosis was ‘early’ and the monarch said he hopes to soon return to full public duties.
NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: ‘Finding out you have cancer can be very daunting – we hope King Charles’s treatment goes well.
‘As ever, if you have any symptoms or signs of cancer, please do come forward for checks.’
Nurse Karla Graham smiles as Charles writes his autograph on her hospital gown at the liver cancer ward at University Hospital in Liverpool in 2002
Cancer charities are now rallying around the monarch following his shock diagnosis. He is seen by the beside of patient Stephen White as he receives a liver scan at University Hospital in Liverpool
Charles at the oncology department of Charing Cross Hospital in Hammersmith
Delia Smith, 86, shakes hands with Charles at the Sydney Cancer Centre on March 4, 2005
Chiara De Biase, director of support and influencing at Prostate Cancer UK, said: ‘We are saddened to hear of the King’s cancer diagnosis and wish him well as he starts his treatment.
‘Whilst we’re aware that the King has not been diagnosed with prostate cancer, more detail about his condition has not been disclosed and we respect Buckingham Palace’s request for people not to speculate.
‘The King’s openness and honesty in announcing his treatment for an enlarged prostate raised vital awareness about the condition.
‘We saw a 500% increase in people coming to our website for information and support in the week following the news, and an impact in men looking to learn more about their prostate and prostate cancer, with an increase in men taking our 30-second online risk checker.
‘It’s important to remember that an enlarged prostate is very common in men over 50.
‘It isn’t caused by cancer and it doesn’t increase your risk of getting prostate cancer.’
Cancer Research UK said: ‘We’re sorry to hear the news that King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer.
‘We’re sending our thoughts and well wishes to the King and the royal family at this difficult time.’
The Royal Household is currently conducting a review of royal patronages across dozens of charities and organisations.
The monarch’s dedication to advocating for cancer patients is matched by his wife, Queen Camilla, who last Monday attended the official launch of Maggie’s cancer support centre at London’s Royal Free Hospital (where she is seen with Viscountess Marcia Blakenham (right)
Camilla (centre) meets volunteers and visitors during her visit to London’s Royal Free Hospital to officially open Maggie’s Royal Free
The Queen (centre) with Maggie’s Royal Free Chief Executive, Dame Laura Lee (third left), during her visit to London’s Royal Free Hospital