The Duchess of York has been diagnosed with ‘an early form of breast cancer detected during a routine mammogram’
Sarah Ferguson attends the UK Premiere of ” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/o4dU9ux5mMW1E.irJNI7Zg–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/people_218/4bda5ed687e996476ff911df8684b867″ class=”caas-img”/>
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Sarah Ferguson attends the UK premiere of ‘Marlowe’
Sarah “Fergie” Ferguson has been diagnosed with breast cancer, PEOPLE can confirm it.
A representative for the Duchess of York, 63, told PEOPLE: “Sarah, the Duchess of York was recently diagnosed with early breast cancer detected during a routine mammogram. She has been told that she had to undergo surgery, which went successfully.”
“The Duchess is receiving the best medical care and her doctors have told her the prognosis is good. She is now recovering with her family, the representative continues. last days.”
“She is also extremely grateful to the staff involved in the mammogram who identified her condition, which was otherwise symptomless, and believes her experience underscores the importance of regular screening,” the rep adds.
The spokesperson also told PEOPLE that the Duchess recorded a podcast episode the day before her surgery, which is expected to be released early Monday morning.
The sun was the first to break the news.
Related: Sarah Ferguson Says She Was “Very Proud” To See Her Daughter Princess Beatrice Wearing Her Wedding Tiara
Fergie’s health news comes two years after she spoke with PEOPLE about another aspect of her wellbeing – her mental health.
In July 2021, Fergie shared that tabloids in the UK around the time she burst onto the scene in 1985 aged 26 were full of cruel headlines, calling her the nickname ‘Duchess pork” and confronting her with her good friend, Princess Diana.
“I had some big mental health issues because of the trauma,” the Duchess told PEOPLE at the time. “It took a lot of work because I believed every word the front pages told me. It was a shame. I’m stratospherically sensitive.”
She added that she spoke with her young daughters at the time and apologized to them for thinking she “destroyed herself”.
“It’s really dark,” Fergie continued. “I had to work hard on self-sabotage to explain it.”
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The Duchess also told PEOPLE that when she was opposed to Diana in the press, Diana was “beautiful”, while she was seen as “fat and frumpy Fergie”. At the time, Diana was married to Prince Charles, while the Duchess was married to Charles’ younger brother, Prince Andrew.
“We were just there for people to make a lot of money. At the time, we both didn’t realize it,” Fergie said.
“Diana and I had our own mental health issues, and she and I used to talk,” the Duchess added. “She said, ‘Fergie, remember one thing: when you’re on top of the pedestal, it’s so easy to fall. And you’re down. You just go up. We were positioned as saints and sinners. And the most important thing was to stay strong together, and we did that no matter what anyone wrote.
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Last July, Fergie teamed up with her daughters for a video call with the Teenage Cancer Trust, as founders Dr Adrian Whiteson and Myrna Whiteson thanked her for working closely with the organization on over the past 32 years.
The founders told the Duchess’ daughters, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, that their mother “has such humility and empathy with patients”, according to a video shared by Good morning! magazine.
During the virtual event, Fergie helped officially open a specialist hematology department at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
“This is a special charity that is so close to my heart,” Fergie said in a statement. “Cancer not only devastates a young person’s health, it threatens to take away everything they care about – their identity, their independence and their dreams. Teenage Cancer Trust specialist nurses and youth workers provide the best care and support during treatment and beyond, ensuring that cancer does not stop young people from living their lives.”
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