At the time, he was widely praised for his openness, which helped to raise awareness of the symptoms of his initial diagnosis of an enlarged prostate and then cancer.
He has gone on to make cancer awareness a cornerstone of his public work, meeting fellow patients, medical professionals, and hosting a reception at Buckingham Palace in which he delivered a speech calling it a “daunting and at times frightening experience”.
He has undergone weekly cancer treatment since then and been in hospital with the side effects. On public engagements, he gave an insight into the hidden challenges when he asked others if they “survive the side effects all right”.
The King has never disclosed the type of cancer he has, other than to specify that it is not prostate, in the hopes of raising awareness and communicating with the widest possible public audience as well as discouraging people from researching the prognosis.
‘Live your life as normal as possible’
Aides have spoken of the King “living with cancer”.
After a 24-hour trip to Canada earlier this year, one said: “The thing you learn about this illness is that you just manage it and that’s what he does.
“Medical science has made incredible advances and I genuinely see no difference in him.
“As long as you just do what the doctors say, just live your life as normal as possible... that’s exactly what he is doing.”
The Princess of Wales, the King’s daughter-in-law, has also been diagnosed with cancer, undergoing a course of chemotherapy.
She has since announced she is in remission and has been making a steady return to public life this year.
The King’s message will form part of an evening of programming at the end of a week-long Stand Up to Cancer campaign.
The night is intended to raise funds for cancer research and support all those affected by the illness.
It will be followed by a live broadcast from a cancer clinic at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, presented by Davina McCall.
This year, Stand Up To Cancer has launched a simple online screening checker to help members of the public research the breast, bowel and cervical screening programmes they may be eligible for.
The King is patron of Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research UK.
In April, he issued a written message before a Buckingham Palace reception for those working in cancer support, saying receiving a diagnosis could be a “daunting and at times frightening experience” for individuals and their loved ones.
“But as one among those statistics myself, I can vouch for the fact that it can also be an experience that brings into sharp focus the very best of humanity.”
Quoting the late campaigner Dame Deborah James, he added: “And to those who may be receiving such upsetting news today, tomorrow or at any point in the future, I can only echo the departing words of the late Dame Deborah James...
“‘Find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope’.”
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