Dec. 12 (UPI) — Britain’s King Charles III is making good progress in his personal fight against cancer and will undergo precautionary treatments in 2026.
Charles, 77, announced his progress in a video released Friday, and he credited his recovery to the “remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care in recent years,” according to CNN.
“Today, I am able to share with you the good news that thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to ‘doctor’s orders,’ my own schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the new year,” Charles said in a video filmed ahead of a special event to benefit the Cancer Research UK charity.
The king was diagnosed with cancer in early 2024 after undergoing a medical procedure on his prostate, but he does not have prostate cancer.
The exact type of cancer with which Charles is afflicted has not been reported, the BBC said.
The king said treatments are going so well that they are entering a “precautionary phase,” but his cancer is not in remission or otherwise cured.
His video speech for the charitable cancer fundraiser encourages viewers to undergo regular cancer screenings.
“Early diagnosis quite simply saves lives,” Charles said.
“I know from my own experience that a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming,” he added. “Yet, I also know that early detection is the key that can transform treatment journeys, giving invaluable time to medical teams.”
The U.K. National Health Service offers cancer screening programs for breast, bowel and cervical cancers for people of qualifying ages.
It also is rolling out a lung cancer screening program for adults between ages 55 and 74 and who have been or currently are tobacco smokers.
The king has stayed relatively silent about his cancer diagnosis and treatments until recording the video message.
He also participated in an Advent service at Westminster Abbey earlier in the week and has continued working to prevent cancer from defining his current existence, according to the BBC.