Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, is grappling with a new health challenge as she has been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer, according to a statement from her spokesperson reported by the UK Press Association (PA) on Sunday.
The discovery of the disease occurred after undergoing treatment for breast cancer in June, during which several moles were removed. The spokesperson revealed, “Her dermatologist asked that several moles were removed and analyzed at the same time as the Duchess was undergoing reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy, and one of these has been identified as cancerous.”
In 2023, the Duchess faced a diagnosis of breast cancer following a routine mammogram screening and subsequent surgery. The recent diagnosis of malignant melanoma, coming so soon after her breast cancer treatment, has been particularly distressing for the 64-year-old Duchess.
Currently recovering at home, surrounded by her family, Sarah Ferguson is reported to be in “good spirits.” Melanoma, a type of skin cancer that originates in the melanin-producing cells, is considered the most serious form due to its potential to spread rapidly to other parts of the body.
Exposure to the sun is a major risk factor for all types of skin cancer, and even intermittent exposure, such as weekend sunbathing, can elevate the risk of developing melanoma. Fair-skinned individuals with a tendency to freckle or burn, as well as those with many moles or irregularly shaped moles, face an increased risk.
The Duchess’s spokesperson expressed gratitude to the medical team supporting her, particularly her vigilant dermatologist, whose prompt detection of the illness proved crucial. The Duchess emphasizes the importance of monitoring moles for size, shape, color, texture, and the emergence of new moles, which can serve as warning signs of melanoma.
