Cambridge nurse hopes King's cancer diagnosis will bring more people forward
She hopes more people will open up about the disease
Last updated 7th Feb 2024
A cancer nurse in Cambridgeshire has said the King's diagnosis will help persuade more people to talk about the disease.
It comes as Buckingham Palace announced on Monday night that King Charles has been diagnosed with a form of cancer and is receiving treatment for this.
"In terms of raising awareness, it's fantastic"
Hannah Brown is the lead cancer nurse at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge:
"I think in terms of raising awareness of cancer, it's fantastic he's able to come out with this news and hopefully in doing so, it will encourage people who may be living with cancer or recently diagnosed to talk about cancer," she said.
"I also hope with people if they have any signs or symptoms, or something changes in their body they're not sure about, they might feel more likely to go to their GP to get something checked out just in case."
Some of Cambridgeshire's MPs have sent messages of support for the King following the news.
That includes Environment Secretary Steve Barclay, MP for North East Cambridgeshire, who said his "thoughts are with him and his family."
While Culture Secretary and South East Cambridgeshire MP Lucy Frazer wished the King a "speedy recovery".
"It's absolutely crucial people are diagnosed earlier"
Ms Brown hopes that more people that have been affected by cancer will come forward.
"I think it's absolutely crucial people are diagnosed earlier and that's one of our ambitions within the NHS.
"It's really important people come forward with symptoms or concerns they may have and therefore they'd be diagnosed earlier with a greater chance of living longer with and surviving cancer.
"Many people have family members, friends, touched by cancer and it's really difficult; I think the King being able to tell us about this has been key in terms of raising the profile of cancer treatment and what that means for people and their families."