'Increases with age' King Charles's cancer diagnosis sparks chilling warning from doctor

A composite image of King Charles on the left and a cancer cell on the right

King Charles has been diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer

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Adam Chapman

By Adam Chapman


Published: 06/02/2024

- 17:37

Updated: 06/02/2024

- 17:51

The King was alerted to his cancer during treatment for a benign enlarged prostate last month

A doctor has issued a chilling warning about the impact age has on the risk of cancer following King Charles's bombshell cancer diagnosis.

Buckingham Palace announced on Monday that the King has been diagnosed with cancer and is postponing all royal engagements while he undergoes treatment.


The Palace disclosed that doctors had found an unspecified form of cancer during treatment for a benign enlarged prostate.

King Charles's condition has been caught very early and the "prognosis is good", the Mail reports, but a doctor is warning Britons against complacency.

King Charles waving next to Queen Camilla

King Charles caught his cancer early, initial reports suggest

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Speaking exclusively to GB News, Dr Angela Rai of The London General Practice explained how the risk of cancer increases with age and that Britons past the age of 50 should be particularly vigilant.

She explained: “The risk of cancer increases as we age. Most cases of cancer are in people over the age of 50 and a third of all cancers are in people aged 75 years and over."

According to Dr Rai, the most common cancers in men after the age of 50 include prostate, bowel, lung, bladder, and melanoma.

How does age raise the risk?

"Cancer occurs when cells become damaged and the older we get the more time there is for the damage to build up," the doc explained.

As well as age, there are many environmental and lifestyle factors that affect the risk of developing cancer.

These include:
  • Smoking
  • Your weight
  • Your diet
  • How active you are
  • Sun exposure Sunbed use
  • How much alcohol you drink.
In addition to controlling the above, you can mitigate the risk of cancer by paying a visit to your local GP, Dr Rai adds.

"Screening and detecting cancers early means treatment is more likely to be successful," she explained.

Man staring pensively across a field

Men aged 75 and over are at a higher risk of cancer

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King Charles cancer latest

Prince William and Prince Harry have been directly told about Charles cancer diagnosis, it was revealed late on Monday.

Harry landed at Heathrow just after noon on Tuesday after an 11-hour flight from Los Angeles to be with his father.

A statement from Buckingham Palace was released at 6pm on Monday confirming the King's cancer diagnosis following separate treatment for a "benign" prostate enlargement.

In addition to the encouraging reports, there are other grounds for optimism over the King's diagnosis.

Charles's breakfast choices stand him in good stead as he undergoes treatment.

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