Sarah, Duchess of York, 'free from cancer': the royal family battles the disease

As Catherine, Princess of Wales, revealed her cancer diagnosis and King Charles has already been undergoing treatment for cancer, there is better news elsewhere in the royal circle. The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, has been told there is no further spread of her skin cancer, according to The Independent.

The Daily Mail confirms that the ex-wife of Prince Andrew and mother of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, underwent examinations of the skin around the malignant mole. These examinations have resulted in a ‘free of cancer’ diagnosis.

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“She’s undergone further surgery following the melanoma diagnosis to examine the area around the mole that was found to be malignant and her lymph nodes,” said the friend of the Duchess to the Daily Mail - the friend was not named.

“The good news is that these have all been found to be free of cancer so it looks like there has been no spread of the disease and the prognosis is good, though she’ll have to have regular check-ups going forward,” the friend continued.

Sarah had been diagnosed with a form of skin cancer which was revealed in early 2024. This diagnosis comes within a year of battling and beating b rea st cancer.

"I have been taking some time to myself as I have been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer," Sarah, Duchess of York said on Instagram.

In a statement obtained by PEOPLE in January, a representative for the Duchess of York, 64, says, “Following her diagnosis with an early form of br ea st cancer this summer, Sarah, Duchess of York has now been diagnosed with malignant melanoma.”

During her reconstructive surgery after her mastectomy, the Duchess of York had multiple moles removed and analyzed by a dermatologist, according to the spokesperson. One of the moles was found to be cancerous.

The Duchess was being treated for melanoma in London and was recuperating at the MAYRLIFE clinic in Altaussee, Austria.

A spokesperson said to ‘People’, "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".

Princess Beatrice, Fergie's oldest daughter, has a personal connection to her mother's cancer diagnosis. She is a patron of the British Skin Foundation and has previously worked with patients suffering from skin cancer.

Website views about melanoma skin cancer on the NHS have significantly increased since Sarah, Duchess of York, shared her diagnosis.

The health service has observed a surge of 741% in online clicks on melanoma information in the months following since the duchess, age 64, announced her condition on Sunday 21st January.

Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, emphasized the importance of promptly seeking medical assistance upon noticing any worrisome changes in the body.

He said: "Skin cancers can come in many different shapes and sizes, and they can be different for everyone.”

"It's important to take notice of any changes on your own body and to contact your GP practice to be checked if something doesn't seem right."

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The Duchess’ spokesperson highlighted this importance, “She is undergoing further investigations to ensure that this has been caught in the early stages. Clearly, another diagnosis so soon after treatment for b r e a s t cancer has been distressing, but the Duchess remains in good spirits.”

Last year, Duchess Sarah had a diagnosis of br ea st cancer, following a routine mammogram screening, which she wasn’t even going to go to. It was thanks to her sister, who persuaded her to go to the check up. In the photo, Duchess Sarah with her daughter, Beatrice, and her sister Jane, in 2003.

Speaking on an episode from her podcast Tea Talks, with co-host Sarah Thomson, she discussed work-life balance, balancing parenthood and finding happiness, but also her new friend, Derek.

"Now I have a friend, Derek, with me all the time who is protecting me with his shield of armour," she said. ‘Derek’ was the name she gave her reconstructed b r e a s t. Why? "He is very important; he saved my life," she said.

She explained in her own podcast that personalizing her new br east was a positive move to help her move forward.

Sarah had a single mastectomy operation in June after she was diagnosed with br ea st cancer following a routine mammogram screening. Fergie then revealed that she “beat b r e as t cancer” in a New Year’s Eve message shared on social media.

The Duchess was very public about her treatment, urging other women to get checked and using her podcast to raise awareness about br ea st cancer, wanting it to be a positive message to save others.

Professor Pete Johnson warns us: "Diagnosing cancer early saves lives, so we would always prefer to see you sooner if you are worried about a symptom."

"It might not be cancer but catching it early helps give people the best chance of successful treatment," the professor concluded, leaving the advice echoing in many people's minds.

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