It may not be breast cancer awareness month, but ladies, think of this as your early reminder not to skip a mammogram. Catching breast cancer early could save your life.
Sarah “Fergie” Ferguson, the Duchess of York, went to her doctor for a routine mammogram screening where she received the diagnosis that she had an early stage of breast cancer, and she has already had surgery.
A representative for Ferguson told PEOPLE that Ferguson “was advised she needed to undergo surgery, which has taken place successfully.” The rep added, “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.”
On behalf of Ferguson, the rep also shared, “The Duchess wants to express her immense gratitude to all the medical staff who have supported her in recent days.” In addition, “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.”
Ferguson also opened up about her breast cancer diagnosis on her podcast “Tea Talks with the Duchess and Sarah” which she cohosts with her friend Sarah Thomson. On the most recent podcast, which was released on Sunday June 25th, Thomson opened the show by saying, “I’m Sarah Thomson and I wanted to let you know that the Duchess of York has recently undergone surgery for breast cancer. Something as big and impactful as this has had an effect on all of us, but the duchess being the duchess has stayed strong throughout.” Thomson added, “This episode you’re about to hear was recorded the day before her surgery, but she wanted to release this to get the message out there that screening and regular self-checking is absolutely vital.”
During the podcast, Ferguson explained her family history with cancer and urged listeners to get screened for cancer. She said, “My father died of prostate cancer and it was very interesting because he went on the radio and he said on the radio, ‘Please, please, please go and get checked. It doesn’t matter, go and get checked.” She continued, “It doesn’t matter what you’re doing. Don’t say it’s not going to happen to you, doesn’t matter if you feel fine because cancer can be so silent, such a silent, silent little hiding thing, which hides in the cells. Go get screened. Go get checked. Don’t wait.”
Ferguson shared that she had a mastectomy. She added, “I am telling people out there because I want every single person that is listening to this podcast to go get checked. Go get screened and go do it.”
