Sarah Ferguson Feels 'Lucky' Following 8-Hour Surgery To Treat Breast Cancer

Jul 07, 2023

In 1986, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, married then-26-year-old Sarah Ferguson. With her fiery red hair and refreshing personality, Ferguson became a staunch focus of the press. The pair appeared happy in the early days of their marriage, more so when their daughters Princess Beatrice and Eugenie were born in 1988 and 1990, respectively. But like many before her who married into the monarchy, Ferguson found the challenges of being a member of the royal family difficult to navigate. By the early '90s, it was reported her marriage was on the rocks. Andrew and Ferguson’s relationship collapsed, and they formally separated in 1992. By 1996, they were divorced and had agreed to share joint custody of their two daughters.

Ever since Ferguson has maintained an amicable relationship with the British royal family and has been spotted attending various important events throughout the years. When Queen Elizabeth II passed away in 2022, Ferguson was at the funeral. Although she was not visibly present at King Charles III’s coronation in May 2023, USA Today reported that Ferguson arranged a tea party in an assisted living home in Windsor to celebrate the joyous occasion. 

Aside from being a prominent figure, Ferguson also made a name for herself as a British author and a television personality. She has also devoted herself to philanthropy and other humanitarian organizations where she has been a patron. 

However, at 63, People Magazine reported that Ferguson has been diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo an operation. Keep on reading to learn more about Ferguson and her surprising cancer diagnosis.

Ferguson’s health has been in the spotlight since 2021. Speaking to People Magazine, Ferguson shone a light on another important aspect of one’s body aside from the physical – her mental health. 

In 1985 when she was introduced as Prince Andrew’s girlfriend, she was forced to suffer cruel reporting from the British media. She was even called “Duchess of Pork,” a wordplay on her eventual title, which was “Duchess of York.” 

Aside from that, she was also pitted against her good friend, the late Princess Diana. 

“I had major mental health problems because of the trauma. It’s taken a great deal of work because I believed every word that the front pages told me. It was self-shame. I’m stratospherically sensitive,” she told the magazine. 

In fact, Ferguson has gone to the lengths of even apologizing to her daughters for thinking that she had “destroyed herself.” In some instances, the media called her “fat, frumpy Fergie” while Diana was described as “looking beautiful.” 

“Diana and I both had our own mental health issues, and she and I used to talk. She said, ‘Fergie, remember one thing: When you’re at the top of the pedestal, it’s so easy to fall off. And you’re at the bottom. You just climb up.’ We were positioned as saint and sinner. And the most important thing was to remain robust together, and we did, no matter what anyone wrote,” she furthered. 

After advocating and shining a light on important issues such as mental health, Ferguson is now using her platform to encourage women to get themselves checked for breast cancer – a very common illness, accounting for 1 in 8 cancer diagnoses worldwide. 

A representative of Ferguson told People Magazine on June 25, 2023, that the Duchess of York had been diagnosed with breast cancer. 

“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.”

According to the source, the duchess received the “best medical care” from her doctors, who revealed that her “prognosis” was good. 

In a report by The Independent on June 26, 2023, it was quoted that Ferguson revealed on the latest episode of her podcast with businesswoman Sarah Thomson, "Tea Talks with the Duchess & Sarah" that she was scheduled for a mastectomy the day after the episode was recorded. A mastectomy is a procedure to remove a breast in order to treat the cancer.

“Tomorrow, I am going for a mastectomy... a single mastectomy. It’s very important that I speak about it,” she said at the time. “What sprang to mind was my father, when everyone rang him and said, ‘Why, no one wants to hear from me – and I don’t mind if no one wants to hear from me, because I’m telling you that I am doing this.”

Ferguson has a clear plea for the people listening to the podcast – “I am telling people out there because I want every single person that is listening to this podcast to go and get checked.”

Overflowing with gratitude from the staff of the Royal Free Hospital in London, Ferguson praised the staff for their “amazing work” in catching her cancer. Following the surgery, Ferguson has been recuperating with her family at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, a house that she still shares with Prince Andrew.

A friend of Ferguson's told the Daily Mail that the surgery was "very long" and took eight hours. "It was more involved than people think," she revealed. However, Ferguson is now recovering with her youngest daughter Princess Eugenie "all but moved in," while Princess Beatrice is visiting regularly and "constantly on the phone." The insider added:

"Today, the message she wants to get out is that she is very grateful to those who saved her and she feels very lucky to be alive. Specifically, the duchess wants to thank the two incredible surgeons Christina Choy and Stuart James who carried out the operation and all the medical team who worked tirelessly to help her."

Just one week out from surgery, Ferguson returned to her podcast and opened up about her health journey and her message for people to get checkups, as she urged, "Don't be frightened." 

"It's so frightening 'cos your mind goes into doom," she said, referring to the mentality of going into a screening. "I could be one of those 1 in 3."

But she quickly shifted her perspective. After explaining she'd watched stories about World War I, she considered how many men went home as amputees and moved on with their lives. "And so, it makes you realize that you're very lucky."

Thomson applauded her for sitting there "saying how lucky you are" when many others wouldn't do the same. She added: "But, it's however you look at it, isn't it. And saying, 'Well, I am lucky, I caught it early, I've had, you know, amazing treatment.'" Ferguson responded:

"(It) didn't go into my lymph nodes. And I don't have to have chemo or radiation or Tamoxifen. ... my job is to get out there strong, healthy and keep spreading the word."

She added, "stop letting fear run you."  

Are you a fan of Sarah Ferguson? What can you say about her breast cancer diagnosis? What do you think about her message for everyone to not be "frightened" about having checkups? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends and other loved ones too!