- By Sean Coughlan, Royal Correspondent, and Vicky Wong
- BBC News
January 21, 2024
Updated 36 minutes ago
Image source: Getty Images
The Duchess of York has spoken of her “shock” at being diagnosed with malignant melanoma but says she is in “good spirits”.
In an Instagram post, she said she was “grateful for the many messages of love and support.”
Melanoma was discovered after the removal of a cancerous mole during breast cancer treatment.
Duchess Sarah Ferguson had several moles removed and analyzed during reconstructive surgery.
The Duchess is the third royal to announce a medical procedure this week.
“I've been taking some time off since I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer,” she said on Instagram on Monday.
It was her second cancer diagnosis in a year, after she was diagnosed with breast cancer over the summer and underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.
“Of course, another cancer diagnosis was a shock, but I am in good spirits and grateful for the many messages of love and support.”
On Sunday, her spokesman had said: “Her dermatologist requested that several moles be removed and analyzed while the Duchess was undergoing reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy, and one of these was identified as cancerous.”
It will undergo further investigation to ensure this was detected at an early stage, he added.
According to sources close to the Duchess, she is back in the UK after initially recovering in Austria.
A second cancer diagnosis within six months was clearly a big challenge, sources say, but she is a resilient person and has the care and support of her family.
The Duchess has demonstrated a remarkable ability to rise from adversity.
Last year, she was diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine mammogram screening.
The Duchess has been very public about her treatment, urging other women to get checked and using her podcast to raise breast cancer awareness as he wanted to convey a positive message to save others.
She then underwent a single mastectomy at the King Edward VII Hospital in London, a private clinic used by senior royals.
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In the autumn, in her latest professional reinvention, she appeared as a guest presenter on ITV's This Morning, in a professional life that has also seen her become a successful author.
The 64-year-old was married to the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, for ten years before they divorced in 1996.
They continue to share a home at Royal Lodge – a property owned by the Crown Estate in Windsor Great Park.
They have two daughters – Princess Beatrice, 35, and Princess Eugenie, 33 – and three grandchildren.
Kensington Palace said the procedure was successful but the princess was not expected to resume her royal duties in the coming months and would remain in hospital for up to two weeks.
The palace did not provide further details about Catherine's condition but said it was not cancer-related.
Shortly after the announcement, Buckingham Palace said the royal would be receiving treatment for a benign prostate condition and would visit an undisclosed hospital in the coming days.
It is believed the king wanted to share his diagnosis with the public to encourage other men who may be experiencing symptoms to get checked.
What is melanoma?
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread to other parts of the body. The main cause is ultraviolet light, which comes from the sun or tanning beds.
Factors such as age, pale skin, a large number of moles, and a family history of skin cancer can increase a person's risk of developing melanoma.
Signs to look out for include a new mole, a change in an existing mole, large moles, and even moles that are either uneven in shape or a mixture of colors.
The NHS says people who notice new moles, changes to existing moles, moles that are painful, itchy or bleed are urged to contact their GP.
Individuals can reduce their risk of developing melanoma by covering their arms and legs when exposed to the sun and wearing sunscreen.