Cancer is a disease that occurs when abnormal cells grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. These cells can then spread to nearby tissue and organs causing further damage.
As reported, King Charles III is currently receiving treatment for cancer. It is not yet known publicly what form of the disease he has but it was detected during treatment for his benign prostate condition.
As a result, the palace has confirmed that he will be taking a step back from public-facing duties – less than 18 months into his reign
When speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the cancer was “caught early”. The earlier cancer is caught, the better chance of survival there is.
In fact there are official stages of cancer used when a person is diagnosed to determine how far the disease has spread. They are as follows, according to the NHS.
Stage 0
This stage is applicable to cancer that is present only in the layer of cells in which it began and has not gone on to spread to surrounding tissues.
It is considered non-invasive, meaning it hasn’t invaded other tissues, and is typically highly treatable and survivable.
Stage 1
This is another early stage of cancer. At this point the disease is small and likely has not spread beyond its original site.
However, it has grown deeper into nearby tissues than stage 0.
Luckily, treatment is usually highly effective and the outcome is generally good.
Stage 2 and stage 3
These stages refer to much more extensive cancer growth or spread.
The cancer is larger and may have spread to nearby lymph nodes or tissues, but not to distant parts of the body.
Treatment for these stages is more complex and may involve a combination of surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy.
Survival rates will depend on the type of cancer, and can vary from nearly 90 percent for some, but as low as 60 percent for others.
Stage 4
As the numerical system indicates, this is the most advanced stage of cancer.
This means that the cancer has spread to distant organs and/or other parts of the body.
You might also hear it referred to as metastatic cancer.
Treatment at this stage needs to be highly aggressive to stop it from becoming terminal.
Again, survival rates depend on the type of cancer someone has.
The five-year survival rate of stage 4 cancer ranges from 31 percent for breast cancer, to just 6.6 percent for stomach cancer.
Symptoms
Cancer symptoms typically depend on the type of cancer you have, however, there are some more general signs that can apply to many different types:
- Night sweats
- Fatigue
- Unexplained bleeding or bruising
- Unexplained pain or ache
- Unexplained weight loss
- An unusual lump or swelling anywhere on your body
- A new mole or changes to a mole
- Skin changes or a sore that won’t heal.
