Sarah Ferguson is opening up about her breast cancer journey and is urging other women not to miss their mammograms.
Appearing on ITV’s Loose Women, Ferguson opened up about her breast cancer for the first time on television revealing the shock she felt after initially finding out about her breast cancer diagnosis saying:
“The drive from the Royal Free Hospital, I’ll never forget because, of course, your mind goes into, ‘Oh my goodness, I’ve got to have a mastectomy’.
“And you look it up and it’s all so terrifying and this is what’s going to happen, and then you think, ‘I’m not going to see my grandchildren grow up’.”
The Duchess appeared on the program in support of Loose Women’s new initiative – Don’t Skip Your Screening – which urges women to get their breasts checked for cancer in light of the alarming statistic that 1.2 million women have missed their mammogram.
The Duchess of York revealed on the show that she had no symptoms leading up to her diagnosis and that without a mammogram, she would never have known she had cancer.
“My experience underlines the vital importance of getting screened when you’re called in,” she shared.
The Duchess also credited her sister Jane, who lives in Australia, with encouraging her to get screened.
“I almost missed the [mammogram] screening appointment that saved my life,” she shared on the talk show.
“I couldn’t face a journey into London on a hot day this summer and it was only my sister Jane’s insistence that I went, that persuaded me.”
The appearance on Loose Women comes just a week after The V Foundation for Cancer Research announced the Sarah Ferguson V Scholar Grant for Breast Cancer Research which has already raised over $750,000 according to People.
The Duchess also spoke to People about the support she has been receiving from her two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who have rallied around her since her diagnosis.
“My two wonderful daughters are my wholehearted cheerleaders, my devoted champions and my soulmates, and they have been as supportive as can be, as they always are,” the Duchess told People.
Sarah, 64, was revealed to have been diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy back in June 2023 through an official statement from a spokesperson.
“Sarah, Duchess of York was recently diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer detected at a routine mammogram screening.
“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.”
Shortly after the statement was released, the Duchess took to her podcast, Tea Talks with the Duchess & Sarah, to reveal more about her diagnosis and thanked her sister Jane for persisting her in getting a mammogram.
“Thank you Jane. I think it’s so important that you do talk about it. I came in here today and I was really worried about whether I should, would, or could talk about it [on the podcast].”
