06 February 2024 , 08:11
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King Charles' cancer was "caught early" giving him a better chance of a full recovery, the Prime Minister has said.
Rishi Sunak said he was left “shocked and sad” when he was told about the diagnosis, which came about after he underwent surgery for an enlarged prostate at the London Clinic in Marylebone last month. Buckingham Palace released a statement on Monday confirming the news doctors had spotted the disease.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live on Tuesday, the PM said: “All our thoughts are with him and his family. Thankfully, this has been caught early.”
He said everyone will be hoping the King “gets the treatment that he needs and makes a full recovery. That’s what we’re all hoping and praying for, and I’m of course in regular contact with him and will continue to communicate with him as normal.”
The PM said on Monday he was “wishing His Majesty a full and speedy recovery”. Posting on X, formerly Twitter, he wrote: “ I have no doubt he’ll be back to full strength in no time and I know the whole country will be wishing him well.”
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The statement from the Palace on Monday read: “During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer. His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties.
“Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual. The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.
“His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.” Spotting cancer early is known to increase survival rates and make treatments more effective.
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The chance of a person surviving for at least five years after an early diagnosis depends on the type of cancer. Early stage cancer (stage 1) means the disease has not begun to spread to other organs and treatment is more likely to be successful.
For example, more than nine in 10 people with bowel cancer survive their disease for five years or more if diagnosed at the earliest stage 1. This falls to one in 10 people if bowel cancer is diagnosed at the most advanced stage and has spread to other parts of the body.
With bladder cancer, around 80% of people survive their cancer for five years or more if diagnosed at an early stage. This drops to around 10% of people when the bladder cancer is at an advanced stage.
However, for one of the most deadly cancers, pancreatic cancer, only around half of patients with stage 1 disease live for one year or more, dropping to around 10% for those with advanced cancer.