Sarah Ferguson has provided an update on her health following treatments for breast and skin cancer, expressing optimism but noting the necessity for continuous monitoring.
Sarah, known as Fergie, opened up about the initial terror she felt after being handed a double cancer diagnosis, fearing it was tantamount to a “death sentence.” However, she now attributes her survival to the timely check-ups and medical care she received.
She’s actively campaigning to remind everyone about the importance of not missing their health screenings. The Royal Family has faced a series of health challenges lately, with King Charles receiving a cancer diagnosis in January 2024 and Kate Middleton announcing her own battle with the disease in a video statement on March 22.
Sarah herself was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in January 2024, which came just one year after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Reflecting on her journey, Sarah shared as reported by the Mirror: “When you’re told you have cancer, you can’t help thinking it’s a death sentence. Your mind goes to the darkest places and you wonder what lies ahead and how you are going to share the news with your family.”
She continued, revealing a close call with fate: “I had almost missed the appointment as I couldn’t face a journey into central London on a hot summer’s day and thought I would put it off. It was only when I mentioned this by chance to my sister Jane, who had called me from her home in Australia, that she went into bossy older sibling mode and insisted I went. That check-up, and the treatment I underwent, saved my life.”
Sarah is now encouraging others to get screened and not delay medical appointments, stating: “I’m living proof of the importance of never skipping screening appointments and always getting symptoms checked out promptly,” as reported by The Sun.
Sarah believes her condition was triggered by her fair skin during her childhood in the 70s, a time when sun cream usage wasn’t as promoted as it is today. Updating on her health status, Sarah confirmed she has undergone a single mastectomy with breast reconstruction, while the malignant melanoma and surrounding skin were removed and other moles tested for cancer signs.
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Despite being told “the forecast is promising”, Sarah says her doctors refrain from declaring her “cancer free”. She asserts that the “treatment appears victorious” and all signs indicate that the cancer hasn’t spread or returned.
She stated: “I’ve made peace with the reality that regular health screenings will be part of my life from now on I’m now on a mission to use my journey to highlight awareness.”
Sarah Ferguson has joined forces with Prevent Breast Cancer as a patron, dedicating herself to championing the importance of early detection.
The organisation is striving to raise £600,000 towards establishing a new National Breast Imaging Academy, which will be pivotal in training 50 new specialists in breast imaging each year.
In her mission to aid the cause, Sarah declared: “Breast cancer doesn’t wait and neither can we. Your support will mean more mammograms, more research and more lives saved.”
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