BRAVE DUCHESS
Sarah Ferguson still not ‘cancer-free’ & the battles that’ll continue for the rest of her life since ‘death sentence’
Fergie is also looking forward to a new arrival in the family
A YEAR on from the second of two devastating cancer diagnoses, Sarah Ferguson is looking forward to a brighter 2025.
The Duchess of York, 65, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of skin cancer a year ago, just six months after being treated for breast cancer.
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Her doctors have told her it is still too early to say she is cancer-free, but after a mastectomy in the summer of 2023, followed by the removal of a malignant melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, there is no sign of a recurrence of the disease.
However, she will need to have regular check-ups for both breast cancer and skin cancer for the rest of her life.
This is something she thought would be the case after she had got through the worst part of her health crisis last year.
“When you’re told you have cancer, you can’t help thinking it’s a death sentence,” she wrote in The Sun in October.
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“I’m reconciled to the fact that I will have to have checks for the rest of my life.”
She added to : “I’m generally a positive person but cancer is like a bomb going off in your life.
“I don’t mind admitting that my mind went to some dark places, reflecting on my own mortality.”
However, the brave Duchess is said to be looking forward to the new year, and has remained in "good spirits" following the health scare.
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Having regular checks is a new fact of her life she has embraced with characteristic gusto, according to friends.
A spokesman for the royal said: "The Duchess wants to thank the entire medical team which has supported her, particularly her dermatologist whose vigilance ensured the illness was detected when it was.
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"She believes her experience underlines the importance of checking the size, shape, colour and texture and emergence of new moles that can be a sign of melanoma."
Fergie’s new arrival
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Fergie, 65, has numerous business and charity projects she is working on and a happy family arrival to look forward to: her elder daughter Princess Beatrice is due to make her a grandmother again in the early spring.
Princess Beatrice, 36, already has daughter Sienna, three, with her property developer husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
The royal also has a stepson named Christopher Woolf (known as Wolfie) from Edoardo's previous relationship.
Meanwhile, Sarah’s other daughter Princess Eugenie, 34, has two kids, Arthur, three, and Earnest, one, with husband Jack Brooksbank.
The Duchess of York has been vocal in her appreciation of her family’s support through her treatment.
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But she admits that she worries about Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
She says: “You worry about them (children) all the time, I still do now, when they’re adults.”
Thankfully at her home, Royal Lodge, she is supported by former husband Prince Andrew, who have often described themselves as the world’s happiest divorced couple since their separation in 1992 and divorce in 1996.
She and the Duke of York are said to love nothing more than spending time with the grandchildren in their 30-room mansion they still share.
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Sarah’s business ventures
Alongside spending time with her family, Sarah is said to be focusing on her current business projects.
She is writing a new historical novel, one in a series, and a new children’s book in her Flora and Fern series.
She recently revealed a new audiobook project, narrating Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit on LBC as part of a project to encourage young people to read.
“I'm not saying I'm a star, but I'm saying I love children's books, and I love to read and write them,” she said.
When you’re told you have cancer, you can’t help thinking it’s a death sentence
Sarah, Duchess of York
The Duchess has also made several appearances on ITV’s This Morning and Loose Women.
In her charity work, she intends to continue supporting the Teenage Cancer Trust and other organisations.
Through her role as an ambassador for the New York-based charity Youth Impact Council, she is also getting more involved in work to highlight the threat of climate change.
But perhaps her biggest focus will be working closely with the charity Prevent Breast Cancer and her new best friend Sally Dynevor, who plays Sally Webster in Coronation Street.
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Duchess’ mindful app
In the heartfelt clip, Sarah reflected on her journey toward mindfulness and mental wellness, sharing how 2024 has brought her peace and joy.
“I’ve truly found real joy and peace,” she said in the video.
“It wasn’t cancer that spurred me to take the shackles off my heart - it was mindfulness and mental wellness.
Cancer screenings in England
CATCHING cancer early gives you the best chance of survival, and a huge part of that is attending regular screenings.
NHS programmes can help diagnose the disease, or risk of it, and improve the likelihood of successful treatment.
There are three national screening programmes in England: cervical screening, breast screening and bowel screening.
"If you are eligible, please make every effort to have your screening test as they can detect a problem early, before you have any symptoms. ," the NHS says.
"Finding out about a problem early can mean that treatment is more effective."
Cervical screening
This is offered in England to people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 and is routinely carried out every three years up to the age of 49, and every five from 50 to 64.
Depending on the result, people may be recalled earlier.
During a cervical screening, samples are tested for high risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which causes nearly all cervical cancers.
Those that test positive are then analysed further.
Breast screening
Breast screenings, which involve an X-ray test called a mammogram that can spot cancers when they are too small to see or feel, are usually offered to women aged 50 to 71 in England.
But the NHS is trialling them for women under 50 if they have a high risk of developing breast cancer.
Bowel screening
This test detects whether patients are showing any early signs of cancer.
It is available to everyone aged 54 to 74, with the programme gradually expanding to those 50-plus after The Sun's No Time 2 Lose campaign.
Currently, those aged 54 to 74 are automatically sent an at-home test kit every two years, so make sure your GP has your correct address.
The at-home test involves providing a small poo sample to be checked for tiny amounts of blood, which could be caused by cancer.
If you're 75 or over, you can ask for a kit every two years by phoning the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60.
Source: NHS
“I began exploring ways to nurture my heart and soul, and discovered an incredible app called Zoul, spelled Z-O-U-L, that offers various tools for mindfulness and well-being."
Sarah went on to explain further in the caption of the video: “As we reflect on the year gone by and the one that lies ahead, I know 2024 has been a challenging time for many.
"In my life, I was diagnosed with skin cancer and breast cancer.
“I’m not ashamed to say that it’s been tough. Sometimes, all of us are overwhelmed by loneliness, anxiety, or sleeplessness.
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“So this year, I decided to seek out tools that can help with healthfulness, wellness, and peacefulness."
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