Sarah Ferguson ‘blown away’ by global support after breast cancer mastectomy

Sarah Ferguson says she has been “blown away” by the love she has received from around the world after an eight-hour single mastectomy operation.

The 63-year-old, known as Fergie, discovered she had an early form of breast cancer during a routine mammogram.

In an episode of her Tea Talks podcast, released on Thursday, 6 July, Sarah – the Duchess of York – said it has been “moving” to receive a note saying: “You are the strongest, bravest person I know and it’s because of you that I’m still here.”

The duchess said: “The most beautiful, beautiful flowers have arrived. There’s letters, there’s cards, and it’s just been an outpouring of kindness.

“And it’s so much so that you can’t… you know, the mind has made up so many games before this thinking everyone believes what they read in the newspapers, and then with all this outpouring of love, it’s like almost it’s everybody’s eulogies to me.

“I know, and I’m here, and it’s really amazing the love that I’m getting from the entire nation."

Sarah had previously revealed that she had been scheduled for a routine check-up, but that it was "hot day" and she "didn't feel like going into London" when her elder sister Jane, who lives in Australia phoned her up.

Quipping that she always does what her sister says as she gets "so cranky" Sarah recalled that Jane called her to tell her to go and see a friend of theirs but that the conversation then turned to the check-up.

She said: "Well while I'm there I'll go see your friend I could then go and get my mammogram, to which she got even crosser with me, and she was right so thank you, Jane."

Describing what was seen on her mammogram as a "shadow" Sarah credits the NHS's new technology with the early detection of her breast cancer, adding that without this they may not have found it in time.

On the podcast the duchess said the support she has received has given her strength to “go forward”.

She continued: “I mean, it’s just unbelievable. Just extraordinary. And it’s not just the nation but it’s globally and people have been beyond, so yes… just blown away really.

“And that is something that has also completely given me strength to go forward, because I won’t let people down. Well, I won’t let myself down.”

It was the first episode of the podcast recorded since the surgery which she confirmed lasted eight hours.

A video clip posted on her Instagram account shows Sarah recording the episode and a caption says: “I am recuperating at the moment but keen to share my story here on my podcast, in the hope it encourages everyone who can to get screened.

“Thank you doesn’t quite cover it to all my doctors, nurses and medical professionals. I’m beyond lucky to have you."

Royal expert Jennie Bond previously told OK! that Sarah's experience would encourage her daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, to be checked.

"It must have been a tremendous shock for her, particularly as there were no symptoms, and it was a total surprise. She almost didn’t bother to go for the check-up, but her sister persuaded her that it was important," Jennie said.

"And, in typical Sarah style, she is sounding incredibly positive about it, saying she has taken it as a wake up call to take better care of herself, get fit and also to encourage everyone to go for cancer scans whenever they are offered.

"Obviously her daughters will also take this as a wake up call to have regular checks. Hopefully and have been reassured by the positive prognosis that their mother has been given. Beatrice was at Glastonbury over the weekend, so presumably her mind had already been set at rest."

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