Sarah Ferguson says mind ‘dark places’ after cancer diagnosis

Sarah Ferguson opens up about the impact of two back-to-back cancer diagnoses on her mental health.

“It was hard. I’m generally a positive person, but cancer is like a bomb that goes off in your life,” said Sarah Ferguson, 65. The Times in an interview published on Friday, January 17, “It’s enough to deal with one diagnosis, but during the year I had two. I don’t mind admitting that my mind went to some dark places, thinking about my own mortality.’

Ferguson announced in June 2023 that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer following a routine mammogram. She later underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. Just six months later, in January 2024, the Duchess announced that she had been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a type of skin cancer.

“Her dermatologist requested that several moles be removed and analyzed at the same time as the Duchess was undergoing reconstructive surgery following a mastectomy, and one of them was identified as cancerous,” a royal family representative said in a statement. My Weekly at that time.

While Ferguson joked recently The Times renaming her reconstructed breast ‘Derek’, she also revealed that her back-to-back cancer diagnoses had taken a huge toll on her mental health. Fortunately, she explained, she found ways to cope.

“I used meditation and mindfulness to stay positive and level headed,” she explained, adding that her family was “immensely supportive during this time.” (Ferguson shares daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie with her ex-husband and battle royale, Prince Andrew.)

In June 2024, when I spoke with Hi!Ferguson gave Royal fans an update on her health, saying she needed to be “checked regularly” and “have to put cream on my face to get over the sun damage”.

“(It) means big blisters on my face, chest and hands for three weeks,” she explained at the time. “But I’m not doing immunotherapy, I’m not taking any drugs or chemotherapy, which I’m very grateful for.”

In the same profile interview, Ferguson again praised his “most exceptional family” and went on to say that he has an “extraordinarily great team” and a “tremendous ability to turn into joy”.

“I always get my girls to be so honest and forthright that they know I’m going to tell them straight, no matter how hard it is,” the duchess continued.

In May 2024, when he appeared in an episode of UK This morningPrincess Beatrice revealed her mother was in the “all clear”.

“He’s a phenomenal icon.” She’s been amazing as a mom, she’s been through so much and her sense of purpose and resilience really sticks with me,” Royal said at the time. “He is thriving at 64; she’s been through so much, but I think she’s really coming into her own now.”