The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The news that The King will go into hospital for a small procedure has, of course, made headlines. That’s hardly surprising as he is the Monarch and the Head of State. However, the surprise has come from the detail that Buckingham Palace has shared. For His Majesty is being treated for an enlarged prostate.
It’s one of those conditions that affects thousands of men every year but which still has a certain taboo around it and for no good reason at all. OK, we all know where the prostate is and how doctors check out concerns around it. But this is 2024 and we’re still blushing about peeing and prostates. So The King has announced he is being treated for the condition to encourage more men to get their own prostates checked out.
And that’s rather good news. There is no doubt that his plan will work. The fact that millions of people will hear that King Charles got his prostate checked and is having treatment for its enlargement will have an impact. Any time someone with a public profile speaks about a health condition, it does help. It gives courage and it gives hope. Which is why this announcement from Buckingham Palace is so important.
The condition is relatively common among men of his age. In fact, getting older is one of the reasons it happens. While it’s not clear exactly what causes benign prostate enlargement, hormonal changes linked to ageing can be a factor. However, men over the age of 50
There is also the chance that this is a chronic condition. Often, doctors will try to treat an enlarged prostate with medication first before moving to surgical procedures. And again, that is where The King’s announcement is so important. He’s clearly been through several stages of treatment for this condition and has no qualms about taking the hospital path now that doctors recommend it. Again, a strong word of encouragement for anyone worrying about their own health.
It’s good, too, that the Palace has shared so unequivocally that King Charles has a benign condition. So many fears around prostate issues are linked to the chance that it might indicate cancer when enlargement brings no greater risk of that than non enlargement. All round, the royal announcement is a strong message to take health seriously and ask for help if you think you need it.
In another age, we wouldn’t have had a clue why King Charles went into hospital. It might have been described as a ‘’routine procedure’’ and he would be out and about a week later, smiling and thanking people for their wellwishes. That was always an option now but His Majesty has chosen information in the hope of inspiration. It’s a very welcome move.
There will be lots of men undergoing this procedure at the same time. To them, and to His Majesty, every best wish for comfort, peace of mind and a speedy recovery. And to all those, including The King, who are talking out loud about something that used to be hidden for fear of blushes, good on you and keep shouting. We are listening.