Prince Charles recently penned an op-ed piece to warn that cancer could become "The Forgotten C" as the medical community shifts its focus in the fight against COVID-19.
The Prince of Wales, who has been the patron of the Macmillan Cancer Support for more than 20 years, fears many cancer patients are not getting the care and treatment they need due to the pandemic. Some might have had their conditions unchecked or untreated because of the lockdowns and restrictions when the pandemic struck nine months ago.
Prince Charles also touched on the anxiety cancer patients could be feeling in despair because of the delays in treatment. The pandemic has also rendered charities like the Macmillan Cancer Support to lose a third of its funding because the organization could not do fundraising activities when its proceeds are supposed to help out cancer patients who cannot pay for their treatments.
Experts project that about 50,000 individuals are at risk of undiagnosed cancer, while 33,000 patients might have had their treatment programs disrupted in 2020. But the fight against COVID-19 is far from over despite the vaccination as hospitals in the U.K. continue to be overrun with coronavirus patients infected with the new, more contagious variant.
Experts said that the cancer figures could double by the end of 2021 unless vital cancer health services are fully restored. Prince Charles urged the public to think about cancer patients, who are already in a scary situation even without the COVID-19 threats.
As such, the Macmillan Cancer Support has set up a special support line for people needing guidance and advice about the Big C.
Meanwhile, royal experts said that Prince Charles' wife, Camilla Parker-Bowles, will likely not take on high-profile roles this year. The Duchess of Cornwall will be content and careful to stay in the background as her husband is primed to be the King of the United Kingdom.
Clive Irving said that Camilla carries the burden of being the destroyer of Prince Charles' marriage to his first wife, Princess Diana. While she will try not to take the spotlight, Camilla will keep working, especially for her key patronages involving animal rescues, literacy, and domestic abuse victims.
Relationship coach Sami Wunder said that Camilla is the perfect match for Prince Charles because she's not the type of woman who wants to be the "star" in the marriage. She is also "not looking to be the Queen" but is more than happy to support the next monarch.
Wunder said that Camilla's attitude and mindset actually bring a positive effect on her relationship with Prince Charles. The future King is more comfortable taking center stage, knowing that his wife will support him instead of stealing the attention from him.
