Sarah, Duchess of York has undergone an operation after being diagnosed with breast cancer, her spokesman has revealed.
The 63-year-old discovered she had an early form of the disease during a routine mammogram.
She reportedly left the King Edward VII Hospital in Marylebone, central London – which has treated the royal family for decades, on Sunday and is said to be recovering with her family at Windsor.
Before going to hospital, she spoke about her diagnosis on her new podcast Tea Talks with the Duchess and Sarah, which is released on Monday.
It was reportedly recorded before her operation and had been due to air on Thursday, before being put off until after she was discharged.
A spokesman for the duchess said: “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.
“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.”
The Sun reported that the Duke of York, 63, and their daughters Princess Beatrice, 34, and Princess Euegnie, 33, are by her side as she recovers.
The grandmother-of-three was not at Royal Ascot earlier this week as she was being treated in hospital.
The duchess is a patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust and spoke at a Breast Cancer Foundation gala in 2019.
Beatrice was spotted with friends at Glastonbury on Sunday, the final day of the festival, and was at Royal Ascot earlier this week.
That the duchess’s breast cancer was identified early via mammogram is testament to the importance of breast screening— Addie Mitchell, clinical nurse specialist at Breast Cancer Now
Ann O’Flynn, head of information and support at the charity Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “We’re saddened to hear of Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York’s, recent breast cancer diagnosis.
“We know that hearing the words ‘you’ve got cancer’ can turn people’s worlds upside down in a heartbeat.”
She said Macmillan does “whatever it takes to support everybody living with cancer, from the moment they’re diagnosed” with a support line, web chat service and online community forums available.
Addie Mitchell, clinical nurse specialist at charity Breast Cancer Now, said: “We send our best wishes and support to the duchess, her family and anyone affected by this news.
“Nothing can prepare you for the shock of hearing the words ‘you have breast cancer’, and sadly every 10 minutes one woman in the UK experiences this.
“That the duchess’s breast cancer was identified early via mammogram is testament to the importance of breast screening.
“The sooner breast cancer is diagnosed the more likely treatment is to be successful, and we encourage women to attend their routine screening appointments when invited.”
Breast Cancer Now’s free helpline is available on 0808 800 6000.
