25 June 2023 , 19:26
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Memories of Sarah Ferguson's emotional visit to a clinic for women with breast cancer have re-emerged, after it was revealed that she herself has been diagnosed with the disease.
The Duchess of York’s “very emotional and moving” 2021 visit to Zabrze, Poland, saw her visit multiple facilities, including a Heart Disease centre and a primary school.
But fittingly, she visited a new branch of the Dr Gabriela Clinic aimed for breast cancer patients - led by the aesthetic and anti-ageing medical guru Dr Gabriela Mercik.
The Duchess, now 63, said: "In the afternoon, I opened the new branch of Dr. Gabriela Clinic in Poland where they help women after they've had a mastectomy due to breast cancer."
Sarah Ferguson is recuperating at home with Prince Andrew (UK Press via Getty Images)
She was diagnosed following a routine mammogram (Getty Images)It emerged only today that the Duchess had been diagnosed with cancer after a routine mammogram, before undergoing a successful surgery in King Edward VII hospital, Marylebone - missing the Royal Ascot as a result.
Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him
She was released from hospital today and is now at home with her family in Windsor, Berkshire. Her representatives say her story “underlines the importance of regular screening”.
The Duchess’ representatives said: “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 wants to express her immense gratitude to all the medical staff who have supported her in recent days.”
“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.”
During her visit to Poland the Duchess also visited the Silesian Centre of Heart Disease, where she met Professor Zembala and young patients who had had heart, liver and lung transplants.
She afterwards explained the impact of the centre: “A young 14 year old who has suffered with Cystic Fibrosis his whole life, is now able to climb to the top of a mountain and breathe.”
Returning to Zabrze for the first time after 30 years, she also visited a primary school in Rudy Raciborskie, describing the pupils as “inspirational”.