Sarah, Duchess of York diagnosed with skin cancer
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Sarah Ferguson has said she is in “good spirits” as she breaks her silence after it was revealed that she is battling an aggressive form of skin cancer.
In an Instagram post, the Duchess of York said she has been “taking some time to herself” at her home in Austria following the diagnosis – which came just months after she revealed she had breast cancer.
“Naturally another cancer diagnosis has been a shock but I’m in good spirits and grateful for the many messages of love and support,” she wrote.
The malignant melanoma was found after her dermatologist asked that several moles were tested at the same time as the Duchess was undergoing reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy.
Meanwhile, the Queen told a member of the public that the King is “fine” as he prepares to undergo treatment for an enlarged prostate this week.
Camilla visited Deacon and Sons, a 175-year-old family run jewellery shop, in Swindon on Monday afternoon.
Among those outside hoping to catch a glimpse of the Queen was 86-year-old Jessie Jackson, from Swindon, who said Camilla told her the King “is fine”.
Ms Jackson said she shook the Queen’s hand and asked her how Charles was doing.
What will the Princess of Wales be missing while recovering from surgery?
The Princess of Wales has been in hospital since Tuesday while she recovers from a successful abdominal surgery in the London Clinic.
She is said to be “doing well” but will remain in the exclusive clinic for several more days, and is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter.
As a result, the future Queen will be forced to sit out of some of the events she usually shows support for including Children’s Mental Health Week, The BAFTAs and the Commonwealth Day service.
Princess Kate will also likely be missing the Easter church service at Windsor.
Kate’s health battle comes at the same time as the King awaits treatment for his enlarged prostate and Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, revealed she has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of skin cancer.
Princess Kate is usually seen attending the BAFTAs but will have to miss the ceremony this year
(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Athena Stavrou22 January 2024 17:45
‘I feel blessed to have looked cancer in the eye and not blinked’
During an interview with The Independent in November, Sarah Ferguson said that she was “so lucky” after her successful breast cancer surgery.
“I have always faced adversity and happiness with the same attitude: put your front foot forward and recognise that whatever happens I am so lucky, and so many face bigger challenges,” she told The Independent.
In June, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with the disease following a routine mammogram and had undergone a mastectomy. She has shared updates on social media on her treatment and recovery, often praising the support of her daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
She revealed on Sunday evening that she had nben diagnosed with skin cancer while undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
Read our full interview with the Duchess of York here:
Athena Stavrou22 January 2024 17:15
Searches for ‘prostate check’ surge after the announcement of King Charles’ hospital procedure
The King’s upcoming “corrective procedure” has caused a surge in Google searches for prostate checks worldwide.
The analysis, by skincare experts at Supplement Doctor, reveals that searches for ‘prostate check’ and ‘how to check prostate’ increased by 242% and 217% worldwide in the last seven days after King Charles’ announcement of suffering symptoms connected to an enlarged prostate.
It is understood that The King was keen to reveal his diagnosis to encourage others to get checked also.
Worldwide searches for ‘prostate symptoms’ have also soared by 290% in the past seven days at the same time. This is an increase of over four times the average search interest.
The announcement has also encouraged searches for ‘prostate check age’, which have skyrocketed by 275% in the past 12 months worldwide.
(PA)
Athena Stavrou22 January 2024 16:45
Sarah Ferguson ‘in good spirits’ after shock skin cancer diagnosis
Sarah, Duchess of York has said she is in “good spirits” and “grateful for the many messages of love and support” after announcing she had been diagnosed with malignant melanoma.
In a post on Instagram earlier on Monday, she said: “I have been taking some time to myself as I have been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer, my second cancer diagnosis within a year after I was diagnosed with breast cancer this summer and underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.
“It was thanks to the great vigilance of my dermatologist that the melanoma was detected when it was.
“Naturally another cancer diagnosis has been a shock but I’m in good spirits and grateful for the many messages of love and support.”
She said she was “incredibly thankful” to her medical teams, adding: “I believe my experience underlines the importance of checking the size, shape, colour and texture and emergence of new moles that can be a sign of melanoma and urge anyone who is reading this to be diligent.”
“I am resting with family at home now, feeling blessed to have their love and support,” she said.
Athena Stavrou22 January 2024 16:18
MP ‘delighted’ to have welcomed Queen
A Swindon MP has shared his delight after the town welcomed the Queen in a series of royal visits.
Robert Buckland, Conservative MP for Swindon South, said Camilla’s visits to a domestic abuse charity and a family-run business were “inspiring”.
Athena Stavrou22 January 2024 15:50
Sarah Ferguson urges people to check moles
Sarah Ferguson has urged people to check unusual moles on their body after she was diagnosed with skin cancer while undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
The Duchess of York wrote on Instagram: “I believe my experience underlines the importance of checking the size, shape, colour and texture and emergence of new moles that can be a sign of melanoma and urge anyone who is reading this to be diligent.”
Her disease was discovered after several moles were removed when she was treated for breast cancer in June. One of the moles was found to be cancerous and doctors are working to establish if it was caught early.
Her spokesperson said: “Her dermatologist asked that several moles were removed and analysed at the same time as the Duchess was undergoing reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy, and one of these has been identified as cancerous.”
( sarahferguson15/Instagram)
Athena Stavrou22 January 2024 15:15
Summary of Camilla’s trip to Swindon
The Queen undertook a series of royal visits on Monday, as the King rested at Sandringham before he undergoes treatment for his enlarged prostate.
She began her day at Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service (SDASS), which was founded in 1974 as Swindon Women’s Aid, and offers one of the few purpose-built refuges in the UK offering fully self-contained accommodation.
Camilla visited one of the flats and met current residents and their children, before joining staff, partner agencies, residents and trustees at a short reception to unveil a plaque.
She also gave an unplanned speech as she was so moved by the work the charity is carrying out.
She then made her way to Swindon’s Old Town to visit Deacon & Son Jewellers as the family-run business celebrated their 175th anniversary.
She was greeted by crowds that had gathered on the street and told locals that the King was “fine” before entering the shop and opening a brand new workshop as well as unveiling a plaque.
(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Athena Stavrou22 January 2024 14:51
Children carrying ‘get well soon’ cards for the King were among the people who gathered to catch a glimpse of the Queen in Swindon today.
Camilla visited Deacon & Son, a 175-year-old family-run jewellery shop, and a domestic abuse charity in the town on Monday.
Crowds gathered outside the shop to greet the Queen and ask after the King – who is currently resting ahead of his treatment for his enlarged prostate.
(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Athena Stavrou22 January 2024 14:32
Queen Camilla leaves Swindon after giving health update on King
The Queen has now left Swindon, where she undertook a full day of royal visits, as King Charles prepares to undergo treatment for his enlarged prostate.
Camilla visited a local domestic abuse charity as well as a family-run jewellers celebrating their 175th anniversary while in the town.
Among those outside hoping to catch a glimpse of the Queen was Jessie Jackson, 86, from Swindon, Wiltshire, who said Camilla told her the King “is fine”.
Nicky Jackson, 48, who accompanied her, added: “She asked how Charles was. He’s fine.
“We didn’t ask about Kate. We forgot about poor Kate.”
Athena Stavrou22 January 2024 14:15
What is the treatment for melanoma?
Sarah Ferguson has revealed she has malignant melanoma – an aggressive form of skin cancer – just months after she received a breast cancer diagnosis.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread to other areas of the body. Any diagnosis of melanoma is cancer, even if the term “malignant” is not used before it.
Melanoma can often be treated, with several types of surgery used and radiotherapy, medicines and chemotherapy are also sometimes used as treatments.
Surgery may include: removing the melanoma and an area of healthy skin around it – helping lower the chances of it coming back; removing swollen lymph glands if the cancer has spread to them; removing melanoma that has spread to other areas of the body.
The specific treatment depends on the location of the cancer, if it has spread and the general health of the patient.
Athena Stavrou22 January 2024 13:45
