King Charles III used social media on Friday, Dec. 12, to deliver an update on his cancer treatment.

The British monarch, 77, said on Dec. 12, his "schedule of cancer treatment" could be reduced in 2026 in a video message shared on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube. King Charles had been getting treatment after being diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer, which was detected in tests after a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate, Buckingham Palace said in February 2024.

Charles was hospitalized for a short time in March 2025 for side effects from his cancer treatment, which he had continued receiving while also returning to public duties in April 2024, according to Buckingham Palace.

Princess Kate, who was diagnosed with cancer one month after King Charles, announced she was cancer-free in January 2025 and recently gave her first public speech.

Read King Charles III's full statement about his cancer treatment update

"Throughout my own cancer journey, I've been profoundly moved by what I can only call the community of care that surrounds every cancer patient, the specialists, the nurses, researchers and volunteers who work tirelessly to save and improve lives. But I have also learned something that troubles me deeply. At least nine million people in our country are not up to date with the cancer screenings available to them. That is at least nine million opportunities for early diagnosis being missed. Early diagnosis, quite simply, saves lives. Now I have heard this message repeatedly during my visits to cancer centers across the country. I know too what a difference it has made in my own case, enabling me to continue leading a full and active life, even while undergoing treatment. Indeed, today, I am able to share with you the good news that thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to doctors' orders, my own schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the new year. This milestone is both a personal blessing and a testimony to the remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care in recent years."

The king released his video announcement on Friday, Dec. 12, as part of Stand Up to Cancer 2025, and its weeklong campaign to increase awareness about early diagnosis, according to Buckingham Palace.

During the online message, Charles also touted a new online National Screening checker, a "simple tool (that) allows you to check whether you are eligible for breast, bowel or cervical cancer screening. It demystifies the process, answers your questions and guides you towards taking that crucial step."

In a longer version of the video message found on the Buckingham Palace website and on YouTube, the king asked viewers to find "a special place" in their hearts for "the hundreds of thousands of people across our United Kingdom who receive a cancer diagnosis each year, and for the millions more who love and care for them."

"I know from my own experience that a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, yet I also know that early detection is the key that can transform treatment journeys, giving invaluable time to medical teams and to their patients, the precious gift of hope," the king said.

During his "cancer journey," the king went on to say, "I've been profoundly moved by what I can only call the community of care that surrounds every cancer patient, the specialists, the nurses, researchers and volunteers who work tirelessly to save and improve lives."

His comments echo those he made in April 2025 during a reception of cancer support groups and charities. His treatment, Charles said at the time, "has certainly given me an even deeper appreciation of the extraordinary work undertaken by the remarkable organizations and individuals gathered here this evening, many of whom I have known, visited and supported over the years."

Contributing: Anna Kaufman/ USA TODAY

Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him at mikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: King Charles III cancer update: Read his full statement to the public

Reporting by Mike Snider, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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