Duchess of York reveals breast cancer diagnosis and successful surgery

The Duchess of York has revealed she has had a "single mastectomy" after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

The cancer was found after the 63-year-old went for a routine mammogram screening at the insistence of her sister Jane, who lives in Australia.

Sarah Ferguson, who is affectionately known as 'Fergie', spoke for the first time about her diagnosis on the fourth episode of her podcast, which was released on Monday morning.

READ MORE: Taylor Swift 'rejected Meghan's request to appear on podcast'

Earlier, a spokesperson for the duchess confirmed the news, adding the "prognosis is good" but that it was unclear whether the duchess would require further treatment.

In a statement shared on Sunday UK time (early Monday morning in Australia), the spokesperson said Fergie was now resting at the Royal Lodge in Windsor that she shares with ex-husband Prince Andrew.

"Sarah, Duchess of York was recently diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer detected at a routine mammogram screening.

READ MORE: Kate joins Roger Federer for pre-Wimbledon match

"She was advised she needed to undergo surgery which has taken place successfully.

"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."

The duchess was treated at the private King Edward VII's Hospital in central London, where members of the royal family have been cared for over the years.

Fergie's spokesman said the duchess wanted to express her "immense gratitude" to all the medical staff who have supported her in recent days.

He said: "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."

READ MORE: Royal feud rumours dashed with carriage move at Royal Ascot

Speaking on her podcast, Tea Talks with the Duchess & Sarah which was due to be released last week but held back until later today, Fergie said she was now urging other women, and men, to get tested.

The podcast was recorded the day before the duchess' surgery, last week.

"Tomorrow I am going in for a mastectomy, a single mastectomy," the Duchess of York said.

"It's very important that I speak about it. I am telling people out there because I want every single person that is listening to this podcast to go and get checked.

"Go get screened."

Fergie said it was her sister to urged her to get tested.

"It was a hot day, I didn't feel like going to London, it was easy to put off. I'll do it next week. But my sister, who lives in Australia, said 'no, I need you to go'.

"Thank you Jane. I think it's so important that you do talk about it. I came in here today and I was really worried about whether I should, would, could talk about it [on the podcast]."

Fergie said believed doctors had "caught this cancer in time, I pray".

She said she was speaking publicly because her late father Ronald, who died of prostrate cancer, was told to keep his own cancer journey quiet because he was from a different generation.

Fergie's stepfather also died of melanoma.

She said the diagnosis had forced her to re-evaluate her life.

"I'm taking this as a real gift to me to change my life, to nurture myself. To strop trying to fix everyone else.

"I am taking myself seriously, get super fit, get super strong, find out what caused this to come as a shadow. And face this straight on."

"This extraordinary position I'm in right now, it means there is no choice. I can't make another excuse. I have to go through this operation and I have to be well and strong and therefore no choice is the best choice.

"It's vital that we need to wake everybody up to get screened. Not just breast cancer. But prostate – all the checks."

In 2019, the duchess spoke at a Breast Cancer Foundation's annual gala in the Cayman Islands.

"It's that hidden, frightening thing, the word cancer, the big C," she told a television interview.

"Then on top of that is the word 'breast' – people just don't use it.

"The secret for the Breast Cancer Foundation is to spread awareness and to say it's OK.

"It's not OK, of course it's awful. But if you have got it or you worry, or you think you may, go and have it checked and we are here to support you."