We need NHS cancer care fit for a king | Letters

Like most people who have experienced cancer diagnosis and treatment firsthand, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone else. So King Charles has my condolences as he takes that particular path. Of course, his quick diagnosis and treatment have already distinguished him from our common people. I wonder how that feels for the thousands waiting for tests, surgery or other life-saving treatment from an NHS in dire straits after years of neglect?

If he’s lucky, the king won’t need the full range of life-saving but brutal treatments that many undergo (surgery, five rounds of chemotherapy and grueling radiotherapy in my case). But if he needs all of these, it will take several months.

Questions are rightly being asked about the impact this cancer diagnosis will have on His Majesty’s role (Charles’ cancer diagnosis will cast doubt on his future role, February 5). But there is certainly still an important question: at what point will he switch to statutory sick pay (SSP)? How on earth will the poor man get by without the money we pay him to rule us?

As one of the lucky ones, I received full wages for six months. Still, when I was reduced to half pay, I returned to work too early. Others who are less fortunate get an SSP (£109.40 per week) as soon as they fall ill, as that is all workplaces are legally required to pay. I honestly don’t know how people deal with this dual assault: a cancer diagnosis and the prospect of financial ruin. By continuing to work between chemo treatments or by postponing treatment, I think.

It is probably commendable that King Charles broke with royal tradition by becoming ill in public. If only he had at least acknowledged that his experience of the “cancer journey” will not bear much resemblance to that of the rest of us.
Shirley Cupit
London

How wonderful that the King was given such prompt hospital appointments in response to an alarming discovery of a significant health problem. However, my “urgent” referral in December for a liver biopsy resulted in a consultation appointment for the end of June – 2024, so not all bad. Hopefully there will be an actual biopsy appointment at some point after that. Sadly, as yet another of the millions of ordinary people suffering the consequences of more than a decade of Tory cuts to the NHS, I cannot join the queue.
Jane Brunning
Penwortham, Lancashire

While I wish King Charles all the best with his treatment, and everyone else in this world who is being treated for this disease, I would like to spare a moment to spare a thought for those who were not so fortunate with the speed of response to their diagnoses. My husband was told in July 2023 that he had a possible cancerous tumor. He received his first chemotherapy session in December 2023 – 142 days after the initial diagnosis. He died in January.
Chris Lee
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

I wish the King a speedy recovery from his cancer, and he is right to make this public and encourage others to seek an early diagnosis at the onset of symptoms. But I would like to see him ask why so few are able to get an early diagnosis and why so few are lucky enough to receive treatment essential to their chances of recovery as quickly as he did. Perhaps he would like to donate some of his wealth to be put into the NHS for this purpose.
Linda Sayigh
Brighton