'I thought it was a death sentence': Fergie opens up about cancer

Sarah Ferguson has said she thought her cancer diagnosis was a 'death sentence', as she candidly opened up about her diagnosis and treatment in an emotional appeal for her new charity.

The Duchess of York, who is better known as Fergie, said that her mind went to 'the darkest places' after she discovered that she had the disease in her breast during a routine mammogram. In January, she was further diagnosed with malignant melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer.

It came amid a health crisis for the Royal family, with King Charles, 75, being diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer in the February and Princess Kate, 42, also revealing her diagnosis the following month.

And while the royal, who still lives at The Royal Lodge in Windsor alongside her ex-husband Prince Andrew, says she is 'not out of the woods', in a relief-filled passage she said that her treatment has been successful.

But Fergie, 64, says that were it not for her 'bossy older' sister Jane she may not have been alive today.

Writing in The Sun, she explained: '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.

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'That check-up, and the treatment I underwent, saved my life. I'm living proof of the importance of never skipping screening appointments and always getting symptoms checked out promptly.'

Mother-of-two Fergie has been treated for two forms of cancer - undergoing a single mastectomy for breast cancer in 2023. 

In 2024, she announced she'd been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer. She then underwent further surgery, around the edges of the site of the mole and lymph nodes.

She blamed the cancer forming on her youth - when she would not wear sun cream despite having fair skin.

But now the Duchess of York says that - with the help of her daughters Beatrice and Eugenie - she has been able to remain positive and the future looks bright.

She continued: 'It has been a difficult period, and I'm not out of the woods. I underwent a single mastectomy and a breast reconstruction operation, while my malignant melanoma and surrounding area was removed and other moles checked for cancer.

'With the love and support of my family, especially my girls Beatrice and Eugenie, I have stayed positive and been informed that my outlook is good. 

She added: 'I've been told by my physicians that I shouldn't use the phrase "cancer free", but treatment has been successful and tests show there has been no spread or recurrence. I'm reconciled to the fact that I will have to have checks for the rest of my life.'

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Now Fergie has said that she is dedicated to helping others - as she is determined to help raise awareness as to how important it is to check for breast cancer.

She has joined charity Prevent Breast Cancer as a patron, after being introduced by Coronation Street's Sally Dynevor, a fellow breast cancer survivor with whom she co-hosted Loose Women.

And she is now campaigning to raise money to build a new National Breast Imaging Academy in Manchester, training up 50 new specialists a year.

It comes as the industry facing down a staff shortage crisis, with a vast number of radiographers and radiologists set to retire in the coming years.

Fergie's campaign comes just days after she spoke of her admiration for King Charles, who is currently being treated for cancer, and Kate Middleton.

Speaking to People magazine, she reflected on a touching video by the Princess of Wales, in which she revealed that she had finished her chemotherapy treatment.

She said: 'I think they are an example to all families going through their own journeys of health. 

'I think both the King and the Princess of Wales have spoken openly about their journey, and I love that the Princess says, "I'm always there for you". I love that video. It was a beautiful video with beautiful words.' 

Fergie also spoke about a visit the King made to the Macmillan Cancer Centre at the University College Hospital in London in April - his first public engagement following the news of his cancer diagnosis.

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She said: 'That was very brave too, very courageous, and [he] spoke openly, which was very important to help people and give hope.'

The Duchess of York further spoke of her delight last week after her eldest daughter, Princess Beatrice, 36, announced that she was pregnant with her second child with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 40.

Soon after Beatrice made the announcement on October 1, Sarah took to Instagram to share her congratulations.

The late Queen's granddaughter and property developer Edoardo already share daughter Sienna, three, and will welcome their next baby early in 2025.

The couple are also parents to Edoardo's son and Beatrice's stepson, eight-year-old Wolfie.

Celebrating the news, which was shared by Buckingham Palace, Sarah posted several photos of Beatrice and granddaughter Sienna to her social media account.

The first photo showed her and Beatrice, who was wearing a floral headband, crouching down with the princess's daughter, who was dressed in a white flower-girl style dress.

'A very proud GiGi/Mum today. Such an incredible blessing and an embrace to my heart,' the duchess captioned her post.

She also referenced all her grandchildren and her step-grandchild in her sweet message: 'Wolfie, August, Ernie and Sienna will be over the moon to have the fifth member of the five aside!'

Beatrice is the eldest daughter of the Duke of York and his ex-wife Sarah, and the new baby will be the Yorks' fourth grandchild, with Beatrice's stepson Wolfie making five.

In a personal address to her daughter amid sweet pictures of Beatrice, Sienna and Sarah's youngest daughter Princess Eugenie, the Duchess wrote: 'Darling Beatrice. Words can't quite express the joy and excitement I feel as you and Edo prepare to welcome another precious addition to your beautiful family.

'Becoming a granny again fills my heart with so much happiness and gratitude. Watching you grow as a mother has been one of the greatest privileges of my life, and now to see your family blossom further is an absolute blessing.'

Fergie added: 'Our family is growing, and so too is the love that surrounds us. I cannot wait to meet this little one and to see in all the wonderful memories we will make together. All my love.'