Sarah Ferguson shares health update after she thought double cancer diagnosis was 'death sentence'

Sarah, Duchess of York has issued a health update after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 and malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer, in 2024

The Duchess of York has opened up about her health journey following treatments for breast and skin cancer, stating that her "outlook is good" but she will need continuous monitoring.

Sarah Ferguson spoke candidly about the terror she felt after being diagnosed with both cancers, initially believing it was a "death sentence" However, she now attributes her survival to the medical care she received and is determined to urge others to attend their health screenings regularly.

The Royal family has faced several health challenges lately, with King Charles revealing his cancer diagnosis in January 2024 and The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, announcing her own battle with the disease on March 22. Sarah herself was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in January 2024, following her breast cancer discovery the previous year.

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Reflecting on her ordeal, Sarah shared: "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 also recounted a pivotal moment: "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 attend their screening appointments and not delay medical visits. She said: "I'm living proof of the importance of never skipping screening appointments and always getting symptoms checked out promptly," reports The Sun.

She believes her condition was a result of being a fair-skinned child in the 70s, a time when sun cream usage wasn't as promoted as it is today. Updating on her health status, Sarah revealed she has had a single mastectomy with breast reconstruction, while the malignant melanoma and surrounding skin were removed and other moles tested for cancer signs.

While Sarah has been informed that "the forecast is promising", she says her doctors refrain from declaring her "cancer free". However, she asserts that the "treatment appears victorious" and there are no signs that the cancer has 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."

In the UK, breast cancer affects nearly 57,000 women each year, standing as the most common cancer nationwide and the leading cause of death among British women aged 35 to 49. Since the early '90s, there's been an approximate 18 percent rise in breast cancer cases, yet the conversation on its prevention isn't gaining the attention it warrants.

Sarah Ferguson has joined forces with the charity Prevent Breast Cancer, taking on the role of patron, and is actively working to highlight the importance of early detection.

The organisation is aiming to collect £600,000 to establish a new National Breast Imaging Academy, which will train up to 50 new breast imaging specialists every year. Breast imaging is crucial for the detection and diagnosis of breast cancer; without it, we're essentially blind to the disease.

Every woman who goes for a routine mammogram or seeks medical advice after discovering a lump will need breast imaging to identify and confirm the presence of cancer.

Sarah has passionately stated: "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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