King Charles has cancer. But no indication (yet) as to which type, stage, etc.

From the ABC News link below:

"Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer."

"The palace has not specified the type of cancer, the stage of cancer or the type of treatment."

"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."

So it looks like we'll be learning more, and presumably soon.

https://abcnews.go.com/international/king-charles-iii-cancer-buckingham-palace-announces/story?id=106961649

What makes people feel as if their type of cancer needs to be a secret?

I’ve never understood what that’s about.

The first thing that comes to my mind is that his cancer was revealed in the imaging workup for his BPH procedure. Of course that leaves open many possibilities if it's true that we're not talking about prostate cancer. Among the most common statistically speaking might be carcinoma of the bowel or bladder. In this day and age I don't think it will be long before we learn the body system either from an official press release or a leak.

Djin

I have penile cancer. It’s rare. It’s so rare, no one really knows how to treat it. My urologist told me this was the first case he’s ever seen in person. Only pictures of it until now.

@Casey: I’m sorry to hear of your friend at church. There was zero ill-intent in my question. It was a 100% innocent question. If you felt the question was ill advised or in poor taste, it certainly was not intended to be. It was truly unintentional. Again, I apologize. I’ll keep your friend in my prayers and thoughts.

And yes, you nailed it.. Sometimes I ask things or say things that affect other people in a negative fashion. But there’s certainly no one on this forum that the question was aimed at in any way, shape, form or fashion.
(As a matter of fact, I didn’t believe there was a better place than a cancer forum that I’ve been a member of and participated in for years to ask that question. I didn’t know the answer to it. Lol.

What bums me out is…there’s nothing I can say or ask here anymore that doesn’t seem to have a negative impact on somebody. I’m sorry I asked Casey. Please forgive me.

If you’re not in the circle here, a man can get run off. I’ve seen it happen more than once. And given my new diagnosis Casey, I’d venture to guess, I may very well be able to relate with your friend about her situation as you do. Maybe better given both of our conditions. Who knows? Cancer should not be a competition. That question was not uncompassionate. But I do hate that you took it as such. Now, wish me luck as I go find a therapist to find out what makes me care so much about why I care what some guy says about me on the internet. 😊

it,

Let’s not overthink this.
You said you “never understood” it.
I gave an example and said “I get it.”

Not implying you had ill-intent or poor taste. Maybe a little naivety, which is especially surprising given your own unique, new diagnosis, but not necessarily even intentional, or competitive. I couldn’t agree more…this is not a competition.

You then also said “sorry I asked.” I didn’t think you asked anything. (I took your question mark to be more of a rhetorical statement.) Reminded me of a John Wayne quote:

John Wayne said...
A friend of mine, told me to shoot first and ask questions later. I was going to ask him why, but I’d have to shoot him.

King Charles…? Let’s just be patient. Have some compassion. Think about it…in his unique case we’ll all probably know all the sordid details soon enough.

Post Edited (Casey59) : 2/6/2024 7:13:45 AM (GMT-8)

Best viewed on laptop, but you can zoom in on a mobile device, too…

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2024/feb/06/martin-rowson-king-charles-cancer-diagnosis-cartoon#img-1

Brilliantly spot-on!

Food for thought ... each case is different ...

I'm an elementary teacher.

When I was diagnosed, and subsequently starting chemotherapy, the principal and guidance counselor, at my invitation, talked to my young school students, simply stating I had cancer and that I would be present at school each day, while pursuing treatments.

This information was shared with parents, as well.

No further specifics were shared.

Had I been a high school or college teacher, I would have shared more information with my students.

I had to carefully consider the age of my students, in regard to what was shared.

Staff, students, and community members were very supportive. The specific, personal details of my diagnosis were my business, and I was entitled to that measure of personal privacy.

I shared what WAS important- that I was diagnosed with a critical health condition, and that I would be actively pursuing treatments.

Each case is different, and to each their own, but I do not commonly discuss my health at work. Those matters are shared with my family, closest friends, trusted confidantes, and fellow "battle brothers."

We are ALL entitled to whatever levels of privacy we each choose.

Over time, I've had to diplomatically and gracefully "fend off" intrusive health questions, from people I know only casually. It's sometimes very surprising how intrusive people can be, and I remain guarded, in terms of sharing health details.

I honestly don't need to know what King Charles' type of cancer might be, just because he is a public figure, unless HE chooses to disclose this, or if he chooses to disclose more, in the interest of advocacy of a health condition.

Reflective thoughts to share,
CYCLONE- # Iowa State University

Post Edited (Cyclone-ISU) : 2/6/2024 6:46:32 PM (GMT-8)

All this news about King Charles reminded me of a favorite movie of mine

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rhr4eevek2q&pp=ygu3bmfrzwqgz3vuig5vig1hdhrlcibob3cgzhvtyib0agugawrlysbvzibhihf1zwvuihnlzw1zia%3D%3D

A guest essay published in today’s NYT helps remind us that it may only be our little HW/PC bubble that is so anxious to know every little detail of this diagnosis/treatment.

The essay begins with:

NYT said...
The most surprising thing about the disclosure that King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer after less than two years on the throne is the fact that it’s been disclosed at all.

Cancer is common; candor about the British royal family’s heath, not so much. Over the centuries, like many royal families, it has gone to great lengths to hide the condition of the sovereign’s body. Charles’s honesty, as far as it goes, seems to be a sign of his desire to be a different kind of monarch.
…
A ruling monarch has always been the embodiment of the state, a living metaphor of its health.
…
When your body is the state, how do you speak of its inevitable weaknesses and frailties? Historically, you didn’t.

The essay then gives interesting historical context of little known facts, then circles back with this recognition:

NYT said...
One might have expected that as the British royal family became a ceremonial institution without power, it would become more open. In fact, the opposite was true. If appearance is the only power you have, appearance matters very much.

The essay begins its wrap-up by postulating that “it’s probably asking too much to expect full candor from any head of state about his or her health,” and cites several recent American examples.

Add these perspectives to your knowledge base:
https:// https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/18/opinion/king-charles-british-health.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringsource=articleshare

Post Edited (Casey59) : 2/19/2024 9:19:20 AM (GMT-8)