
King Charles reveals what ‘can help' cancer treatment in rare remark about health battle
King Charles is giving a rare update on his health.
The monarch, 76 — who revealed his cancer diagnosis in February 2024 — revealed what 'helps' amid his ongoing treatments while talking to Stamford Collis at The Education and Skills Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.
7 King Charles.
Collis, 22, is a college student at Exeter University who is also undergoing cancer treatments.
'He was asking me about the treatment I have starting in June and spoke to me about food and diet. He also asked me if I had undergone radiation treatment, which I had earlier this year,' the student revealed after he met King Charles, per The Telegraph.
The royal was heard stating, 'It's sometimes about the diet and what you eat. It can help.'
King Charles is no stranger to healthy eating. Queen Camilla's son Tom Parker-Bowles, who is a food writer, revealed in September that the royal couple eats 'simple, healthy and resolutely seasonal food.'
7 King Charles III and with Queen Camilla.
'Cooking and the Crown: Royal Recipes from Queen Victoria to King Charles III' was released in October. In an interview with The Daily Mail at the time, Parker-Bowles, 50, shared that the King's pantry is filled with 'seasonal bounty of the royal estates,' such as 'game, beef and lamb' and 'peas, strawberries, raspberries and chard.'
'There is no waste at [King Charles'] table,' he explained.
In December, Palace sources confirmed to The Post that the monarch's 'treatment has been moving in a positive direction, and as a managed condition the treatment cycle, will continue into next year.'
Dame Laura Lee, the chief executive of the cancer support charity Maggie's, has also previously spoken out about Charles' condition.
7 King Charles III gets shown a plaque as he visits Impact Hub Yorkshire.
AP
'It's very common for treatment to be ongoing for very long periods of time, as is the treatment that the Princess of Wales went through, which is an intense period of treatment over a year, and then it comes to a point where it's on an end, and she's on that recovery from some of the impacts of her treatment,' she said, via Sky News.
'So we've got immunotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery, hormone therapy. There are all sorts of different treatment modalities. And so it's not surprising at all,' Lee added.
The King was originally hospitalized for a planned operation to treat an enlarged prostate in January 2024 when the undisclosed cancer was discovered. In Feb., the palace announced that he had started treatment.
7 King Charles III meets members of the public on a visit to Cartwright Hall.
Getty Images
At the time, Charles canceled all of his in-person engagements and only returned to his more public royal duties in April of that year.
That month, he shared a personal message thanking 'all those who support cancer patients and their loved ones' on the royal family's website.
King Charles admitted that being 'among' the 'statistics' of those diagnosed with cancer has 'reinforced' his view that 'the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion.'
'My wife and I are delighted to host you here this evening to celebrate and above all thank those who so selflessly give care, comfort and reassurance to the 390,000 people who, sadly, receive a new cancer diagnosis across the UK each year,' the king's statement began in part. 'Each diagnosis, each new case, will be a daunting and at times frightening experience for those individuals and their loved ones.'
7 The King and Queen visit Bradford.
Getty Images
He added, '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.'
Charles' daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, revealed her own cancer diagnosis in March 2024. Six months later, Princess Kate, 42, announced she had finished her chemotherapy treatment.
'I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,' she said in a statement on X at the time.
7 King Charles visits Cartwright Hall.
via REUTERS
'Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.'
The Princess of Wales, who shares three children — Prince George, 11, Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7 — with Prince William, added she was 'looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months' when she could.
Kate also thanked those who supported her during the difficult time.
7 King Charles.
AP
'The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown,' she expressed.
'The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you. With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Rishi Sunak calls for national prostate cancer screening
Prostate cancer screening must be rolled out nationally, Rishi Sunak has urged. In his first major intervention since standing down as prime minister, Mr Sunak calls for targeted screening, so those with higher risk of the disease such as those with a family history of it undergo checks. The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) is currently considering whether to roll out screening. Experts believe there is a growing case for targeted screening, meaning that PSA blood tests would be offered to those at heightened risk of the disease. Writing for The Telegraph, Mr Sunak urges the UK NSC to make the leap – and to do so 'without delay'. In the meantime, he urges all men to use Father's Day this Sunday as an opportunity to talk to their fathers about their health. The MP, who recently became an ambassador for charity Prostate Cancer Research, writes: 'On Father's Day, many of us will call our dads for a chat. We'll discuss many things: the news, sport, the family. But few of us will touch on our health. 'For we men aren't very good at addressing that: I am the son of a GP but even me and my dad don't talk enough about health. In fact he's had a test, but it took him a while to get round to it. It's not that the topic is taboo, more that it never seems quite the right moment to ask a delicate question. 'But talking about health with your dad, and particularly the misconceptions around prostate cancer, could save their life. It is one of the best things you could do this Father's Day, and a true act of love'. Although one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetimes, polling has found only 7 per cent of men know that the disease is symptomless in its early stages. Mr Sunak warns too many men were leaving it 'dangerously late' to seek help, only coming forward when symptoms such as pain or blood in urine began to show. He says: 'The cancer will almost certainly be advanced at this point, and treatment far less certain to succeed. This ignorance is costing lives. It is why we need a targeted national screening programme to make sure that the right men are being checked at the right time for the disease. If we can make this happen, we can save thousands of lives.' Mr Sunak adds that since becoming an ambassador for the charity: 'What has really struck me in this time is how alien it is for men to proactively ask to be checked for a disease. Our assumption is that if everything is working fine, it is fine. 'When I raise prostate cancer and the need to get checked, men regularly tell me that everything is functioning down there, so they don't need a test. But that is not right: and this confusion is costing lives.' The UK NSC is expected to make a decision by the end of this year. Its members are considering different models, with discussions about the definition of close relatives if a family history becomes part of the criteria for targeted screening. As well as family history, risk factors also include ethnic group – with one in four black men diagnosed with the disease. Many experts in prostate cancer are calling for the 'dangerous' guidelines to be changed, so that younger men with a family history of prostate cancer such as Sir Chris Hoy can be tested for the disease. The 49-year-old, who is a six-time Olympic cycling gold medallist, was told he has two to four years to live after being diagnosed with terminal cancer that originated in his prostate. Despite a family history of prostate cancer – which affected both his father and grandfather – he was never offered PSA tests. In the UK prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with over 55,000 new cases diagnosed annually. Cases have risen by one quarter in the last five years. Despite improvements in survival, over 12,000 men die from prostate cancer each year. If prostate cancer is caught early, the chances of successful treatment are far higher. If it is detected after the disease has spread, the success rate of treatment is below 50 per cent. Mr Sunak salutes the work of men who have spoken out about the need to get checked, saying his friend Joe Biden's diagnosis would also raise awareness. Credit: US Network Pool via Reuters Oliver Kemp, chief executive of Prostate Cancer Research, said the rollout of targeted screening would prevent 300 men a year from developing incurable disease. He said: 'Every 40 minutes in the UK, a family loses a father, a grandfather, or a son to prostate cancer. This is a tragedy compounded by a postcode lottery that means a man's chances of survival can depend on where he lives. 'The current passive system, where men must know their own risk and ask for a test, is failing us and worsening health inequality across the UK. That is why Prostate Cancer Research is calling for the urgent introduction of a targeted national screening programme for men at the highest risk, including black men and those with a family history of the disease'. Polling has found 94 per cent of GPs would back the rollout. Mr Kemp said: 'As the UK National Screening Committee finalises its review, we call on the Government to champion this life-saving reform, which aligns perfectly with their stated mission to prioritise prevention and tackle health disparities. The time for waiting is over; the lives of thousands of men depend on this decision.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Expecting parents are expecting the worst with UAB and UnitedHealthcare negotiations
BIRMINGHAM, Ala (WIAT) – UAB facilities across Alabama could become out-of-network for the thousands of Alabamians insured by UnitedHealthcare. 'Obviously, the hope is they find an agreement and I don't have to swap providers,' Christian Holly said. Holly and his wife are getting ready to welcome their first child into the world. Their due date is in October and their doctors are at UAB. 'My wife was big on using UAB,' Holly said. 'They've got the best trauma center, the best neo-natal care, all of those sorts of things.' UAB and UnitedHealthCare (UHC) have until July 31 to finalize an agreement. Each party sent out statements that read in part: 'We are deeply disappointed that UnitedHealthcare has created this uncertainty for our patients…UAB Hospital alone provides more than $100 million a year in care for which it is not paid; and United reimburses care providers less than other insurers.' – UAB Statement. 'UAB continues to drive up health care costs for people and businesses throughout Alabama through its acquisitions…Our goal is to reach an agreement that is affordable for consumers and employers while providing continued, uninterrupted network access to UAB.' – UHC Statement. The two parties have seven weeks to make that happen. 'If this doesn't get squared away in the next month, we'll have to swap providers,' Holly said. If UAB becomes out-network for the Holly's, they have two options: pay out of pocket or find a new doctor to deliver their first born. But it's possible both could happen. In the chance his wife needs emergency medical attention during delivery, or their child needs emergency medical care – they'll have to go to UAB and pay out of pocket. 'If she does have an issue, they'll have to swap her to UAB so it just adds a lot of worry to everything,' Holly said. CBS 42 News requested the total number of Alabamians who are insured through UHC. As of Thursday, we were still waiting for that number. However, thousands of retired public school teachers and their dependents are insured through UHC. 'We have about 80,000 lives that are covered currently through PHIP United Plan,' The Government Media Relations Manger for the Alabama Education Association, Allison King said. Anyone who worked for the Alabama Public School system for at least 25 years qualifies for Public Education Employees' Health Insurance Plan King said. That plan provides those state retirees with UHC. 'We'll certainly be working to advocate on the behalf of our retirees and make sure they have quality programs both in service providers and health care options,' King said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Three R.I. health insurers pay over $1 million in fines for lapses in COVID coverage
Three Rhode Island health insurers were fined for charging patients out-of-pocket costs for pandemic-related care, such as emergency room care, doctor visits, and hospital stays, that should have been fully covered, the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner said. (Getty image) UnitedHealthcare paid $1 million and two Rhode Island health insurers paid lesser fines for violating state rules for health coverage of COVID-19 services. Health Insurance Commissioner Cory King announced Thursday that his office had finished collecting fines charged to UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) and Aetna. The insurers were penalized for charging patients out-of-pocket costs for pandemic-related care, such as emergency room care, doctor visits, and hospital stays — services that should have been fully covered under a 2021 rule promulgated by Patrick Tigue, King's predecessor in the the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner (OHIC). UnitedHealthcare incurred the heaviest fine while Blue Cross and Aetna were fined $20,000 and $10,000, respectively. Consent decrees for the insurance companies stipulated payment was due for UnitedHealthcare and Aetna on June 2, while Blue Cross needed to pay up by June 6. King said Thursday that the final payment was made last week. 'OHIC expects health insurance companies to comply with the law,' King wrote in an email. 'When they do not, they must take corrective actions and face consequences.' The fines accumulated from July 3, 2021, when the rule was formalized into general law, through May 11, 2023, when Rhode Island's cost waiver rule expired and the COVID-19 public health emergency officially ended. The cost waiver, however, only applied to fully insured plans, or coverage plans purchased by employers in which the insurer assumes the financial responsibility and risk. The cost mandate did not apply to people receiving services under self-insured plans — the kind of coverage often purchased by larger companies and held by about 60% of covered Rhode Islanders. The three consent decrees OHIC released Thursday detail the scope of violations and how the insurers fixed their billing problems. UnitedHealthcare's hefty $1 million fine derived from 1,545 claims in which Rhode Island plan members were wrongly charged for COVID-related care. In 2023, the company reprocessed the claims and refunded roughly $270,000 to affected members. 'We are pleased to have resolved this issue with the Rhode Island Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner,' Bradley J. Alexander, a spokesperson for United, said in an email Thursday. 'We remain focused on helping individuals access care while supporting our employees, our network of care providers, our clients and the communities we serve.' The Blue Cross case was less straightforward. The insurer had already waived cost-sharing for COVID treatment in April 2020, according to spokesperson Rich Salit. 'BCBSRI's cost-share waiver applied to all in-network services and out-of-network services received outside of Rhode Island,' Salit wrote. 'For services in Rhode Island, BCBSRI was encouraging members to seek care from our broad network, as members going out-of-network could still be exposed to provider balance billing.' Balance billing is when out-of-network providers charge patients for what insurance didn't pay. According to the consent decree, Blue Cross believed its policy complied with the OHIC statute, at first indicating 'that it was not waiving cost sharing on services related to the treatment of COVID-19 if such services were provided by out-of-network providers within Rhode Island.' Nevertheless, OHIC did not agree with that interpretation, penalized the company for not covering the out-of-network care in 19 claims. Blue Cross was required to pay $1,751.60 in refunds, plus the $20,000 fine. Salit said the claims came from eight plan members. 'BCBSRI agreed to reimburse the cost sharing those members incurred and updated its policy, and the matter was resolved,' Salit wrote. Aetna, a subsidiary of CVS, only had three claims flagged under the OHIC rule. 'We are pleased this agreement resolves issues with the OHIC related to three (3) Aetna claims, which we reprocessed in 2022,' Phillip J. Blando, an Aetna spokesperson, wrote via email. The penalty money goes into the state's general fund, according to OHIC. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX