Watch: King gives cancer treatment update in rare video message

The Independent

King issues call for people to attend cancer screenings in personal messageSource: Stand Up to Cancer, Channel 4

Transcript

00:00I know from my own experience that a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming.

00:06Yet I also know that early detection is the key that can transform treatment journeys,

00:13giving invaluable time to medical teams and to their patients the precious gift of hope.

00:21These are gifts we can all help deliver.

00:24Throughout my own cancer journey, I've been profoundly moved by what I can only call the community of care

00:33that surrounds every cancer patient, the specialists, the nurses, researchers and volunteers

00:41who work tirelessly to save and improve lives.

00:45But I have also learned something that troubles me deeply.

00:49Unfortunately, at least 9 million people in our country are not up to date with the cancer screenings available to them.

00:57That is, at least 9 million opportunities for early diagnosis being missed.

01:03The statistics speak with stark clarity.

01:07To take just one example, when bowel cancer is caught at the earliest stage,

01:13around 9 in 10 people survive for at least 5 years.

01:19When diagnosed late, that falls to just 1 in 10.

01:25Early diagnosis, quite simply, saves lives.

01:30Now, I've heard this message repeatedly during my visits to cancer centres across the country.

01:36I know, too, what a difference it has made in my own case,

01:41enabling me to continue leading a full and active life, even while undergoing treatment.

01:49Indeed, today I am able to share with you the good news that thanks to early diagnosis,

01:57effective intervention and adherence to doctors' orders,

02:01my own schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the new year.

02:07This milestone is both a personal blessing and a testimony

02:12to the remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care in recent years.

02:19Testimony that I hope may give encouragement to the 50% of us

02:24who will be diagnosed with the illness at some point in our lives.

02:29Yet, too often, I am told, people avoid screening

02:35because they imagine it may be frightening, embarrassing or uncomfortable.

02:43If and when they do finally take up their invitation,

02:47they are glad they took part.

02:50A few moments of minor inconvenience are a small price to pay

02:56for the reassurance that comes for most people

02:59when they are either told they don't need further tests

03:03or, for some, are given the chance to enable early detection

03:08with the life-saving intervention that can follow.

03:13This is why I am so encouraged to learn about the new national screening checker

03:20that is available online.

03:23This simple tool allows you to check whether you are eligible

03:27for breast, bowel or cervical cancer screening.

03:32It demystifies the process, answers your questions

03:36and guides you towards taking that crucial step.

03:41As I have observed before,

03:44the darkest moments of illness

03:46can be illuminated by the greatest compassion.

03:51But compassion must be paired with action.

03:54This December, as we gather to reflect on the year past,

04:01I pray that we could each pledge,

04:05as part of our resolutions for the year ahead,

04:08to play our part in helping to catch cancer early.

04:13Your life, or the life of someone you love,

04:17may depend upon it.

04:18Therefore, this brings my most heartfelt thanks

04:23to the doctors, nurses, researchers and charity workers

04:28involved in diagnosis and treatment programmes,

04:33together with my particular good wishes

04:36to those for whom they care so selflessly.

04:40to those for whom they care so selflessly.

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