Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, reveals early breast cancer diagnosis: 'Prognosis is good'

Sarah Ferguson has been diagnosed with an "early form of breast cancer."

The Duchess of York received the diagnosis during a routine mammogram and "was advised she needed to undergo surgery which has taken place successfully," her rep Lauren Auslander told USA TODAY in a statement Sunday.

Ferguson's "prognosis is good" and she is "symptom free." As of now, Ferguson is currently "recuperating with her family," her rep added.

Ferguson (also known as Fergie) is the ex-wife of Prince Andrew, the Duke of York (1986-96). The two share daughters  Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice.

The former senior working royal expressed "immense gratitude to all the medical staff" who treated her and emphasized "the importance of regular screening," per Auslander.

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Sarah Ferguson undergoes mastectomy surgery for breast cancer

In an episode of her podcast "Tea Talks with the Duchess and Sarah" released Sunday on Spotify, Ferguson opened up about her diagnosis and the surgery. The podcast was taped the day before her mastectomy.

Ferguson talked about how she was feeling ahead of her surgery.

"Of course the doubting mind comes in you know, I think that the you just … when it comes in shine light on it and and say 'no, no, I got this,'" Ferguson said.

She repeatedly advised listeners to get screened for breast cancer and for other cancers.

"I am telling people out there because I want every single person that is listening to this podcast (to) go get checked," she said, later urging "don't wait."

"I think it's vital that we need to wake everybody up to go screen," she said.

The duchess added that she is on a mission to get fit, in part because of the diagnosis.

"I'm taking this as a as a real gift to me to change my life – to nurture myself," she said.

Duchess Fergie has been an advocate for cancer research in the past

Ferguson has been an advocate for cancer research in the past. In July 2022, she and her daughters Beatrice and Eugenie virtually met cancer patients and nurses for the opening of the hematology ward at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

"This is a special charity that’s so very close to my heart. Cancer doesn’t just devastate a young person’s health, it threatens to take away everything they care about – their identity, their independence, and their dreams," she said in a statement to the organization. "Teenage Cancer Trust’s specialist nurses and youth workers provide the very best care and support during treatment and beyond, making sure that cancer doesn’t stop young people living their lives."

Ferguson added: "I opened the first Teenage Cancer Trust unit for young people in London in 1990, and 32 years later, to be here with my daughters, helping to open this new blood cancer ward at UCLH, is truly remarkable."

Contributing: Morgan Hines

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, is diagnosed with breast cancer