King Charles Announces His Cancer Treatment Will Be ‘Reduced’ in Rare Health Update

King Charles has offered a rare and encouraging update on his cancer journey, revealing that his treatment schedule will be scaled back in the New Year after strong progress.

In a pre-recorded video message for Channel 4’s Stand Up To Cancer broadcast, filmed at Clarence House and aired on Dec. 12, the 77-year-old monarch spoke frankly about the shock of a cancer diagnosis, the power of early detection and the reality that millions in the U.K. are missing out on vital screening.

He shared that, thanks to timely diagnosis, effective care and closely following medical advice, his own doctors are now able to reduce the intensity of his treatment in the coming months. He described this moment as both a deeply personal blessing and proof of how far cancer care has advanced, expressing hope that his experience might encourage others facing the disease.

While the King did not use the word “remission,” a Buckingham Palace spokesperson confirmed that his recovery has reached a particularly positive phase. The monarch is understood to have been undergoing weekly treatment since publicly announcing his cancer diagnosis in February 2024.

According to the spokesperson, he has responded “exceptionally well” to therapy, and his medical team now considers his ongoing care to be shifting into a precautionary stage. His health will continue to be carefully monitored to protect and support his recovery.

The palace has made clear that the King’s specific cancer type and the exact details of his treatment will remain private. Advisors say that, in his efforts to support the entire cancer community, it is considered more helpful for him to speak to the shared experience of the illness rather than focus on his particular diagnosis.

In his message, Charles acknowledged how life-altering a diagnosis can be, saying he knows from personal experience how overwhelming the news can feel. He paid tribute to what he called a nationwide “community of care” around patients — from consultants and nurses to volunteers and families — and stressed that early detection is one of the most powerful tools for improving survival.

He highlighted stark statistics on bowel cancer, noting that when it is found at the earliest stage, the vast majority of patients live at least five years, but that survival drops dramatically when the disease is detected late. One figure that troubles him deeply, he said, is that around nine million people in the U.K. are not up to date with recommended screening — nine million missed chances for early diagnosis.

The King said early detection has made a significant difference in his own life, allowing him to remain active and continue his duties while receiving treatment. To help close the screening gap, he drew attention to a new national Screening Checker tool designed to help people understand what tests they are eligible for, including breast, bowel and cervical cancer screening.

“Compassion must be paired with action,” he urged, encouraging viewers to make health checks part of their New Year’s resolutions and warning that a screening appointment could one day save their own life or that of someone they love.

The palace has previously confirmed that the video was recorded at the King’s London residence and that it reflects on a chapter that began when his cancer diagnosis was first made public in February 2024. That announcement came shortly after he underwent treatment for a benign enlarged prostate; officials clarified at the time that the cancer was unrelated to his prostate condition.

After stepping back from most public engagements for about three months, the King resumed duties in April 2024, including a visit to a major cancer hospital in London, where he was named Patron of Cancer Research UK. His schedule since then has balanced treatment with state duties, public appearances and official travel.

On Dec. 12, the palace spokesperson said the monarch has taken “great comfort and encouragement” from being able to maintain a full and active life throughout his treatment, always following medical guidance. They added that continuing with state responsibilities, public events and overseas tours has helped sustain the positive mindset that so many families know is crucial to recovery.

The King has also spoken openly about his illness while meeting other patients. During the official opening of Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Birmingham on Sept. 3, 2025, he spent time on the wards, chatting with people receiving cancer care and listening to their stories.

In March, he was briefly hospitalized after a mild adverse reaction to one of his routine treatments. A royal source described the incident as a very small setback on a path that still appears to be moving decisively in the right direction.

Following his visit to Canada in May 2025, palace aides said the King approaches his illness much as countless others do: by learning to manage it over time. They noted that modern medicine has advanced enormously and said they see no obvious difference in him, emphasizing that he is committed to doing what his doctors recommend and living as normally as possible.

More recently, the King has continued to take part in high-profile events, such as attending the Advent Service at Westminster Abbey in London on Dec. 10, 2025, signaling both his resilience and determination to remain visible in public life.

His short film for Channel 4 forms part of the broader Stand Up To Cancer campaign, a partnership between the broadcaster and Cancer Research UK that raises awareness and funds for cutting-edge research and treatment.

Cancer has touched other senior members of the royal family as well. In March 2024, his daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, revealed that she had begun treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer. She later shared in September that she had completed chemotherapy and announced in January that she is now in remission — another reminder, alongside the King’s own progress, of both the challenges of the disease and the hope that modern treatment can offer.