Sarah Ferguson reportedly endured an eight-hour breast cancer operation following her heart breaking diagnosis.
The Duchess of York confirmed last week on her Tea Talks podcast that she had been diagnosed with the disease before undergoing a successful single mastectomy at King Edward VII's Hospital in London.
The recently turned grandmother-of-three spent several days inside the intensive care unit last week and has spoken of her "immense gratitude" towards the medical staff who have looked after her, the Mirror reports.
A spokesman for the Duchess told the Mirror : "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."
Fergie, who is the ex-wife of Prince Andrew, reportedly discovered that she had the disease after going for a routine mammogram.
A friend of the 63-year-old Duchess told the Mail on Sunday that the surgery lasted around eight hours and the mother-of-two feels 'lucky to be alive' after spending four days in intensive care.
They said: "The surgery was very long – getting on for eight hours – and it was more involved than people think. Today, the message she wants to get out is that she is very grateful to those who saved her and she feels very lucky to be alive.
"Specifically, the duchess wants to thank the two incredible surgeons Christina Choy and Stuart James who carried out the operation and all the medical team who worked tirelessly to help her."
It's now been reported that Sarah has vowed to urge a national breast cancer screening drive after her own shock diagnosis.
According to the Mirror, a source close to the Duchess has said she is recovering well and is determined to use her own scary experience to help raise awareness about other women aged 50 to 70 understanding the importance of getting regularly checked.
A pal said: “Undoubtedly this will be an issue the duchess takes up as she feels it is incredibly important to spread this message and awareness.”
Fergie's representatives said the royal's experience "underlines the importance of regular screening".
Speaking to the Mirror last week, her representative said: "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."
A mammogram is a breast X-ray which helps identify signs of cancer that are too small to see or feel. Women aged between 50 and 71 are invited to attend a breast screening every three years.
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