Sovereign to Broadcast First-Hand Message on Illness in Television Address

His Majesty has taped a intimate address about his journey with cancer, which will be broadcast as part of this year's fundraising drive, spearheaded by medical research organisations and Channel 4.

The royal household confirmed the King would discuss his "healing process" as a person living with the disease, in a video message on Friday evening at the evening slot.

The recording, filmed within his London residence two weeks ago, will stress the importance of routine screenings to ensure more people diagnose the disease at an treatable phase.

This will be a infrequent public commentary on the health of the Sovereign, who has been receiving ongoing care since his condition was announced in early last year. But it is thought improbable the King will disclose his specific form of cancer.

Awareness Primary Goal

The awareness campaign each year collects money for clinical trials and therapies and prompts people to get screenings to improve the probability of an prompt identification.

The King's relative openness about his health challenge, and managing the disease, has been aimed to increase understanding and to get more people to get checked - and this will be escalated with this exceptional personal contribution.

Up until now the King's main approach to his cancer has been to maintain his duties, upholding a hectic timetable despite his frequent sessions of treatment, and he is understood not to have sought to be defined by his diagnosis.

The past twelve months has seen the 77-year-old Monarch, undertaking several overseas trips, such as visits to Italy and Canada, and hosting the biggest number of official guests to the UK for a generation, featuring the German president last week.

Friday's Evening Programme

The upcoming charity programme on Channel 4, hosted by celebrities including several TV personalities, will encourage people not to be frightened of getting cancer checks.

The hosts have been personally touched by cancer - McCall revealed recently she had undergone surgery for the disease, while Balding was treated for thyroid cancer more than 15 years ago. Comedian Hills has previously spoken about his parent, who had stomach cancer and then later leukaemia.

The show will target the estimated nine million people in the UK who charities says are not up to date with national health programmes, with an website to let people determine if they are able for tests for several common cancers.

In an effort to demystify health tests and show the importance of early diagnosis there will be a live broadcast from treatment centres at Addenbrooke's and Royal Papworth hospitals in Cambridge.

"My aim is to take the fear out of health checks and prove all people that they are not on their own in this," commented a presenter.

Understanding Screening Programmes

Currently in the UK, there are a number of NHS cancer screening programmes - for major health concerns - available to certain age groups.

A emerging scheme for lung health is also being gradually implemented for people at high risk of contracting the disease, primarily aimed at people aged 55-74 years old, who currently smoke or used to.

Men may enquire about specific tests, but there is no national programme currently available.

Ongoing Efforts

The fundraising campaign, which has generated a significant sum for many years, is funding 73 medical projects involving thousands of patients.

The Monarch, in a address for attendees at a gathering for support groups in April, had spoken of recognising the "intimidating and at times frightening experience" for patients and their loved ones.

But he said his personal journey of managing cancer had revealed that "the most difficult times of sickness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion," as he praised those who cared for those receiving treatment.

The Palace has not disclosed what kind of cancer the King has, or the therapies he has been given. The King's cancer was discovered after he had undergone a medical treatment.