‘Working will do wonders for him...’
As King Charles announces his return to public duty, a hopeful message from cancer doctor:
THE NEWS King Charles is returning to work is not just great for the country – it will give him a boost as he battles back from the impact of his cancer, experts said last night.
Buckingham Palace has announced His Majesty will be returning to public-facing duties after a three-month absence.
Charles, 75, is not yet clear of the disease and is still undergoing treatment but his medical team said it was “very encouraged by the progress made so far”.
By working, he will be able to channel his energies into his constitutional role rather than dwelling on the illness, health experts say.
This can boost both his psychological and physical wellbeing. And the fact he feels able to return to work is also a positive sign he is responding to treatment.
Professor Karol Sikora, a world-leading cancer specialist, said: “Psychologically there is going to be uncertainty about whether the cancer will come back – even after treatment. That is a problem with any cancer diagnosis.
“There is a chance the treatment might cause problems. This uncertainty can cause profound problems. One of the best ways to handle this is to get back to normal as soon as possible.”
Professor Sikora, former adviser to the World
Health Organisation on cancer care added: “The worst thing for anyone to do is to sit around watching daytime TV and reading magazines waiting for something to happen.
“It is good the King is willing to go back to his unusual job if he feels able as this will deflect the uncertainty about his future which can be frightening for anybody.”
Professor Gordon Wishart, cancer consultant and chief medical officer at diagnostics company Check4cancer, said: “Specialists talk about survivorship in cancer care which covers the physical, emotional and psychological aspects.
“This is equally as important as treatment and can go on for the rest of a patient’s life.
“Patients need a framework for support both physically and psychologically and as cancer doctors we always encourage people to get back to work as soon as they can.
“Cancer patients don’t want to be sitting at home thinking about their illness.
“Often it can be a good idea to have a phased back-to-work plan but it is always better to work and the support of his wider family will also be important.”
Since the King’s diagnosis in February, Queen Camilla has carried out more than a dozen extra engagements on behalf of the Royal Family. She hosted Ukraine’s First Lady and led the family at a memorial service for King Constantine of Greece at St George’s Chapel,windsor.
Taking on the extra work, along with senior royals including Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, meant the King did not have to appoint any of his Counsellors of State to undertake his duties.
This has been seen as a significant achievement considering the absence of Prince William and the Princess of Wales following her announcement last month that she was also being treated for cancer.
Professor Wishart credited the Royal Family with “stepping up” to help with the King during his absence. He said: “We have already seen other members of the Royal Family stepping up to help with Charles’s role and I’m sure this will be a great reassurance to him as he works his
‘Worst thing to do is sit around watching TV’ ‘Royals stepping up is a great reassurance’
way back to normality.”
In a statement Buckingham Palace said: “His Majesty the King will shortly return to public-facing duties after a period of treatment and recuperation following his recent cancer diagnosis. To help mark this milestone, the King and Queen will make a joint visit to a cancer treatment centre next Tuesday, where they will meet medical specialists and patients.
“This visit will be the first in a number of external engagements His Majesty will undertake in the weeks ahead.”