22 January 2024 , 11:33
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Sarah Ferguson has bravely shared her skin cancer diagnosis in a bid to raise awareness, and there's one change to the skin you need to look out for that often goes overlooked.
The Duchess of York has been diagnosed with skin cancer just months after being treated for an early form of breast cancer. She is said to be "distressed" but in "good spirits" and is taking some time away from the spotlight to recuperate.
Her doctor spotted some moles on her body when she was undergoing breast surgery and had them sent off for testing. The results came back as malignant melanoma - the most serious form of skin cancer.
It will be particularly worrying for the Duchess as it is her second cancer diagnosis in six months after she was found to have an early form of breast cancer in June following a routine screening. Her step-father Hector Barrantes, who she called a "wonderful man", also died from melanoma in 1990 aged just 50. His death inspired Sarah to work for the Teenage Cancer Trust, which she continues to do to this day.
The Duchess's melanoma was spotted by her doctor but it's important that we keep checking our own skin for anything out of the ordinary. While we are aware that moles should be inspected regularly, there is another particular sign to look out for. Any lumps or discoloured patches on the skin that don't seem to heal, should be checked by a professional if they haven't cleared up in four weeks.
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If you do notice any marks, Cancer Research has suggested taking a photo of it with a measuring tape or ruler next to it to help give a more "accurate idea" of the size, and if it changes. The charity also recommends that everyone should wear SPF while outside to keep safe and protected against UV rays and to "apply it 30 minutes before heading out" every day.
Exposure to UV rays, either from the sun or sunbeds, is the biggest cause of skin cancer. Sarah herself admitted previously using sunbeds a lot when she guest edited This Morning back in November 2023.
It has been predicted that cases of non-melanoma skin cancers are "expected to rise by 14% between 2023-2025 and 2038-2040" according to the Huffington Post, so it's more important than ever to keep on top of your skin health. It's also been found that there are more cases of men being diagnosed than women.
Common skin cancer symptoms
Unusual skin growth
Sore that doesn't go away
New rash or nodule
Irregular patch on the surface of the skin
Spots that ooze or bleed easily
Do you regularly check your skin for signs of skin cancer? Let us know in the comments below.
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