The Duchess of York has been diagnosed with a malignant skin cancer after an analysis of moles removed during breast cancer surgery, a spokesperson says.
Key points:
- The melanoma was found while the duchess was undergoing reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy
- The duchess is the ex-wife of Prince Andrew
- She was once a favourite target of Britain's tabloids
Sarah Ferguson went public about her single mastectomy in June, with doctors saying she had a successful surgery and a good prognosis.
In her latest health update, she praised the "vigilance" of her dermatologist in a statement to the BBC on Sunday.
"Her dermatologist asked that several moles be removed and analysed at the same time as the duchess was undergoing reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy, and one of these has been identified as cancerous," her spokesperson told the broadcaster.
"She is undergoing further investigations to ensure that this has been caught in the early stages.
"She believes her experience underlines the importance of checking the size, shape, colour and texture and emergence of new moles that can be a sign of melanoma."
The duchess, 64, the ex-wife of Prince Andrew and the mother of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, was once a favourite target of Britain's tabloids.
Last year she used her diagnosis to urge people to get screened for cancer, not just breast cancer.
"Clearly, another diagnosis so soon after treatment for breast cancer has been distressing but the Duchess remains in good spirits," the spokesperson said.
Third royal health announcement
Ms Ferguson's update came five days after dual health announcements from the British royal family.
Catherine, the Princess of Wales, who is widely known as Kate, had planned abdominal surgery.
In a statement, the princess asked for privacy and said she would be unable to perform her public duties for about three months while she recovered.
Her husband, Prince William, will also be taking a break from public duties during her recovery.
King Charles III is due this week for treatment of a benign enlarged prostate.
Buckingham Palace described the 75-year-old's surgery as a "corrective procedure" and said the king sought treatment "in common with thousands of men each year".
A spokesperson told the BBC the king did not have cancer.
Updates serve as public health campaigns
The BBC reported a surge in prostate-related internet searches within the UK's National Health Service (NHS) after the announcement, which boosted awareness about the men's health issue.
Officials told the broadcaster they saw an average of one visit to the NHS website's enlarged prostate page every five seconds.
Online search engine data from the past week shows a slight uptick in searches for "skin cancer" and "melanoma" on Monday morning, with the duchess's name being included in searches.
What is melanoma?
It's a type of skin cancer.
There are other types of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
But the Cancer Council NSW says melanoma is the most concerning type of skin cancer.
"Melanoma is considered the most serious form of skin cancer because it is more likely to spread to other parts of the body, especially if not found early," the organisation's website says.
"The earlier melanoma is found, the more successful treatment is likely to be."
What are the signs and symptoms of melanoma?
Usually, melanoma doesn't have symptoms — it's mostly detected by the appearance of a new mole or changes to an existing one.
Here are the signs the Cancer Council NSW says to watch out for:
- colour: a mole may change in colour, have different colour shades or become blotchy
- size: a mole may appear to get bigger
- shape: a mole may have an irregular shape, may increase in height or not be symmetrical
- elevation: the mole may develop a raised area
- itching or bleeding
Other symptoms include dark areas under nails or on membranes lining the mouth, vagina or anus.
How is melanoma treated?
Before it's diagnosed, the mole is usually cut off the skin — a simple procedure where the doctor numbs the area and removes the tissue within a few minutes — and sent to a laboratory to be examined under a microscope by a pathologist in a process called a biopsy.
People diagnosed with melanoma usually have more surgery to cut even more normal-looking skin from around the melanoma, the Cancer Council NSW's website says.
"Removing more skin around the melanoma reduces the risk of it coming back (recurring) at that site," it says.
Usually, this means cutting away about 5 and 10 millimetres of skin from around the site, depending on the type, thickness and location of the melanoma.
If the cancer is more advanced, patients may need to have lymph nodes removed, and undergo immunotherapy, targeted therapy and radiation therapy.
Stage 4 melanoma is where the cancer has spread to lymph nodes further from the spot, other organs or bones.
Known as advanced or metastatic melanoma, this can sometimes mean having the cancer removed from affected organs.
If the cancer is too far advanced, it may be deemed untreatable and the patient will be offered palliative care to make them more comfortable before their death.
What does malignant mean?
In the context of skin cancer, malignant means cancerous.
"Malignant cells can spread (metastasise) and can eventually cause death if not treated," Cancer Council Victoria says.
What does benign mean?
Doctors use the word benign when they're talking about a lump that isn't cancerous.
They're not dangerous, Cancer Council NSW says.
"Benign tumours are not able to spread to other parts of the body."
ABC with AP