On Wednesday evening, King Charles delivered a heartfelt speech at a reception for cancer charities held at Buckingham Palace.
In his speech he stated that he was “one among those statistics myself” and while his speech has been well received, his experience of his cancer journey is likely to have been significantly different from others included in those statistics.
When it comes to cancer, timing is everything and he will not have experienced the lengthy wait and delays which so many face when there is a suspected cancer diagnosis.
The NHS aim is that at least 85% of patients should have received their diagnosis and commenced treatment within 62 days of their urgent referral for suspected cancer. This is already a very long time for someone concerned that they may have cancer to have to wait to start treatment. However, according to statistics produced by NHS England, in February 2025 (the latest figures available) only 67% of patients actually received their diagnosis and commenced treatment within this timeframe.
This is an agonising time for patients. I see in my clients how delays in receiving a diagnosis and commencing treatment can have a significant impact not only on their prognosis but also on their mental health.
While King Charles’ diagnosis has no doubt had a huge impact, it is important to remember that for patients receiving cancer referral via the NHS, the impact is often compounded by uncertainty and delays.
In a heartfelt message to guests at a Buckingham Palace reception for cancer charities, the King spoke about becoming a cancer “statistic” – referencing the more than 1,000 new cases recorded in the UK every day.