King Charles shared a rare health update when he met with cancer patients during a recent outing.
Charles, 76, spoke to a cancer patient named Matthew Shinda at Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Smethwick during a visit on Wednesday, September 3. He had made the trip to officially open the new medical center and meet the patients, as well as the clinical staff and volunteers there.
Hello! magazine reported that Charles was asked about his recovery, and he told Shinda, “I’m not too bad.”
Additionally, the BBC reported that Shinda, 73, spoke with Charles about the delays he navigated in receiving his diagnosis. Shinda is currently receiving treatment for prostate cancer.
“I’m very sorry about that, it’s so frustrating,” Charles told Shinda of his experience.
Charles added, “Half the problem is detecting it, isn’t it, in time.”
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According to Hello! magazine, Charles later added, “The great thing, I think, is they’re getting better and better at dealing with these things. The trouble is there’s always hope down the road.”
Charles shared even more insight into his health when he spoke to patient Jacqueline Page in one of the hospital’s acute elderly care wards. After Page, 85, told him that she was “wearing out,” Charlies jokingly replied, “I know, this is the terrible thing, as I am discovering already. The bits don’t work so well when you get past 70.”
The royal family member announced he had been diagnosed with cancer and began treatment in February 2024. He underwent surgery to treat a benign enlarged prostate that January. However, a spokesman for the royal clarified he does not have prostate cancer.
Amid his health battle, Charles postponed his public-facing work for three months and ultimately resumed his forward work in April 2024.
Charles’ recent visit to the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital was initially supposed to take place earlier this year. However, the visit was postponed after he was briefly hospitalized on March 27. During his recent visit, Charles apologized for the delay.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get here a few months ago,” he told the staff, per the BBC.
