Sarah Ferguson is reflecting on her life and mortality after her skin and breast cancer health scares, a source has said. Claims about the Duchess of York’s state of mind come after she put on a brave face to tell well-wishers she felt “fine” following a visit to private King Edward VII Hospital earlier this week.
A spokesperson for Fergie, 64, confirmed on Sunday (January 21) that she has been diagnosed with a malignant skin cancer, which was discovered during her treatment for breast cancer.
The melanoma was found after several moles were removed while she was undergoing reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy.
A source said to be close to the Duchess of York has told MailOnline the scares felt like the worst icing on the cake following a year of tribulations, including disgraced Prince Andrew’s relationship with paedophile billionaire, Jeffrey Epstein, coming under the spotlight again.
The source said the Duchess’s skin cancer diagnosis is tragic news for her as she was still wrapping her head around her first cancer diagnosis.
They said Fergie is telling those around her that medics caught the skin cancer in time, with her friends and family hopeful this is the case.
The source told MailOnline: “But she is also a realist and knows that a second cancer diagnosis that was just discovered is not something that is going to improve her chances of survival from her previous cancer diagnosis.”
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie’s mother is “taking it one day at a time” after a “difficult” year, according to the source.
The source praised the Duchess’s strength, adding: “But cancer does not care how strong you are. This has caused her to start really thinking about her life and about mortality.”
Fergie has posted a message on Instagram since the news, saying she was “incredibly thankful” to her medical team and was now resting at home with her family.
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.”
The Duchess praised the medics who cared for her, 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.”
