Sarah Ferguson praises daughters for their support during cancer fight

Sarah Ferguson has credited her daughters with helping her through her cancer fight after she was diagnosed with breast cancer following a routine mammogram.

The Duchess of York has described daughters Princess Beatrice, 35, and Princess Eugenie, 33, her "soul mates," adding that her grandchildren are "spectacular healers."

The duchess made the comments during an interview with People.

Watch the video above.

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"My two wonderful daughters are my wholehearted cheerleaders, my devoted champions and my soulmates, and they have been as supportive as can be, as they always are," she said.

Ferguson, 64, and her ex-husband Prince Andrew are grandparents to Princess Eugenie's sons with husband Jack Brooksbank – August, two, and Ernest, five months – as well as Princess Beatrice's children with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi – Sienna, two, and Edoardo's son from a previous relationship, Christopher, seven.

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Sarah Ferguson's life in pictures

"My grandchildren have also been spectacular healers. Joy and laughter can be powerful tools when it comes to healing," the duchess told People.

The royal joined the panel on British TV show Loose Women to discuss the importance of regular screening, explaining she nearly didn't go to her scheduled appointment ahead of her breast cancer diagnosis in June 2023.

"It was after bank holiday and it was a Tuesday morning and I thought, 'No, it's a hot day, and nah, no, no, I don't need to go. I'm sure it'll all be fine'," she said on the show.

"I had no symptoms, I was completely fine and my sister from Australia – she tends to be the older sister and fairly bossy – and thank goodness for her bossiness because she said, 'No, no, you've got to go.'"

She told People early detection is key, adding that she is feeling well.

"I am so very grateful to report I am feeling very well!", she said. "I am hugely thankful to the brilliant doctors and nurses who took wonderful care of me as well as the staff involved in the mammogram that identified my illness, which was otherwise symptom-free."

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Ferguson has teamed up with the V Foundation for Cancer Research, with the organisation announcing the Sarah Ferguson V Scholar Grand for Breast Cancer Research in honour of the royal.

She will help select the grant recipient.

"I am looking forward to working with the V Foundation's Scientific Advisory Committee in selecting the recipient of the grant and continuing great work together," she said.