Sarah Ferguson underwent surgery after being diagnosed with breast cancer, a report says. The cancer was detected after the Duchess of York, 63, who was previously married to Prince Andrew, underwent a routine mammography screening.
Ms. Ferguson was released from the hospital today and is now recovering at home in Windsor. According to Express.co.uk, the Duchess was treated at King Edward VII Hospital in London this week.
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“Sarah, Duchess of York was recently diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer detected at a routine mammogram screening,” a representative for the Duchess informed Express.co.uk.
“She was advised she needed to undergo surgery which has taken place successfully.”
“The Duchess is receiving the best medical care and her doctors have told her that the prognosis is good. She is now recuperating with her family.”
“The Duchess wants to express her immense gratitude to all the medical staff who have supported her in recent days.
“She is also hugely thankful to the staff involved in the mammogram which identified her illness, which was otherwise symptom-free, and believes her experience underlines the importance of regular screening.”
“It’s been a difficult time,” a friend told the Sun, “but she is very grateful to the medical staff who carried out the mammogram and detected it early, and the medical staff who looked after her these last few days, she is incredibly thankful.”
Ms. Ferguson is currently residing with her family, which includes ex-husband Prince Andrew, 63, and daughters Beatrice, 34, and Eugenie, 33.
Her absence from Royal Ascot this week is thought to be due to the operation.
Before going into hospital, the Duchess discussed her condition on the podcast Tea Talks with the Duchess and Sarah. The program, which was originally scheduled to run last Thursday, will now air tomorrow.
Breast cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United Kingdom.
Breast cancer claims the lives of 11,500 women and 85 men in the United Kingdom each year, amounting to approximately 1,000 deaths each month, or one every 45 minutes.
Ninety-nine percent of breast cancer diagnoses are female, and it is the leading cause of death in women under the age of 50 in the United Kingdom.
However, breast cancer survival is improving and has increased in the UK over the last 40 years as a result of advances in therapy and care, earlier identification through screening, and a focus on targets, including speedier diagnosis.
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Sarah has frequently participated in cancer-related philanthropic projects. She is a Teenage Cancer Trust patron and previously spoke at a Breast Cancer Foundation dinner four years ago.
In 2021, Sarah traveled to Poland to address the issue of women recuperating from a mastectomy.
Her eldest daughter, Princess Beatrice, attended Royal Ascot with her husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi on Tuesday and Friday but is now reported to be rallying around the Duchess at home while she heals.
