Sarah Ferguson diagnosed with breast cancer

News of Sarah Ferguson’s cancer diagnosis has come as a shock to many, but she hinted at her concerns almost a fortnight ago on the Kyle and Jackie O show.

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. Picture: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Sarah Ferguson hinted at her cancer battle during an interview with Australian radio duo Kyle and Jackie O just 10 days before news broke of her diagnosis.

On Sunday, it emerged that the Duchess of York, 63, was diagnosed with breast cancer during a routine mammogram recently and underwent a “successful” major operation after being admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in Marylebone last Tuesday.

In an interview with the KIIS FM breakfast show earlier this month, Ferguson revealed she was waiting anxiously for mammogram results after being encouraged by her sister to get tested.

“So how am I doing? I don’t know.... I think a lot of problems and pain and what people go through we take internally, and I’m just waiting to see how we’re doing,” she told the radio hosts.

“I think it’s important to speak about more women going for [cancer] screenings. I’m very strong, I feel OK, but maybe my body needs to keep up with my mind.”

Ferguson with ex-husband Prince Andrew. Picture: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

The resurfaced interview came after Ferguson’s spokesman confirmed the diagnosis to BBC News on Sunday, UK time.

“Sarah, Duchess of York was recently diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer detected at a routine mammogram screening,” her spokesman said.

“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.

“The Duchess wants to express her immense gratitude to all the medical staff who have supported her in recent days.

“She is also hugely thankful to the staff involved in the mammogram which identified her illness, which was otherwise symptom free, and believes her experience underlines the importance of regular screening.”

Ferguson currently resides at Royal Lodge with her ex-husband, Prince Andrew. The pair were divorced in 1996 after a decade of marriage, but have remained close friends.

It is understood she is now recuperating there with him and her daughters, Princess Beatrice, 34, and Princess Eugenie, 33, along with her three grandchildren.

A source close to the duchess told The Sun that the operation went well and that the “prognosis is good” due to the cancer’s “early detection”.

She underwent an operation at King Edward VII's Hospital in central London. Picture: Glyn Kirk/AFP

“It’s been a difficult time but she is very grateful to the medical staff who carried out the mammogram and detected it early and the medical staff who looked after her these last few days, she is incredibly thankful,” the insider told the publication.

Ferguson reportedly opened up about her diagnosis on the latest episode of her new podcast, Tea Talks with the Duchess and Sarah, which will be published this week.

Last month, the duchess announced she had paired up with UK’s First News presenter Sarah Jane Thomson for the podcast project, which sees them chat about “the highs and lows of everyday life”.

“No topic is off the table. No biscuit will remain undunked,” its description online reads.

Meanwhile, Ferguson is a patron for the UK’s Teenage Cancer Trust and has previously spoken at a Breast Cancer Foundation gala.

“When I started to work with the Teenage Cancer Trust over 30 years ago, it was because my stepfather had died of cancer and I wanted to do something for cancer patients,” she said at the time.

Originally published as Sarah Ferguson diagnosed with breast cancer