Sarah Ferguson feared her cancer diagnosis was a 'death sentence' (original) (raw)

Sarah Ferguson tearfully shares breast cancer journey, fearing it's a 'death sentence'

The Duchess of York spoke about her breast cancer diagnosis and revealed her fears that it was a 'death sentence' as she urged other women to attend their screening appointments

The Duchess of York spoke about her breast cancer diagnosis

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, was gripped by fear that she had received a "death sentence" upon her breast cancer diagnosis.

At 64-years-old, the royal who was once wed to Prince Andrew and shares daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie with him, opted for a single mastectomy after discovering she had the disease last June. She shared with The Sun newspaper how her thoughts spiraled into "the darkest places" following the initial diagnosis.

In her own words for The Sun, she expressed: "When you're told you have cancer, you can't help thinking it's a death sentence." She continued, revealing her inner turmoil: "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."

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Reflecting on the moment of discovery, she wrote: "That was certainly the case for me last year when a routine mammogram detected breast cancer, something I had always dreaded."

Sarah was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2023 (

Image:

Getty Images)

The Duchess confessed that she nearly skipped the crucial appointment due to the daunting prospect of traveling into central London on a sweltering summer day, considering postponing it instead.

It was her sister Jane who insisted on the visit, which turned out to be a "life-saving" decision. Fergie emphasized the lesson from her experience, stating: "I'm living proof of the importance of never skipping screening appointments and always getting symptoms checked out promptly."

Fergie revealed her earlier skin cancer diagnosis this year and, despite caution against saying "cancer-free," she's optimistic because her "treatment has been successful and tests show there has been no spread or recurrence" since her diagnosis.

She went on: "I'm reconciled to the fact that I will have to have checks for the rest of my life. I'm now determined to do whatever I can to raise awareness by sharing my experience."

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