03 August 2023 , 21:02
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Sarah Ferguson has nicknamed her reconstructed breast 'Derek' after undergoing a mastectomy in June.
The Duchess of York was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year after going for a routine mammogram screening. Discussing her cancer journey on her own podcast 'Tea Talks', the 63-year-old said personalising her constructed breast helped her make a positive step forward in her recovery. She added she was still coming to terms with her Derek, her "new best friend", adding how she chose the name because it 'made her laugh' and how "he is very important, he saved my life".
She underwent a successful single mastectomy at King Edward VII's Hospital in London. The grandmother of three spent several days in the hospital last week and previously told of her "immense gratitude" to the medical staff.
A spokesman for the Duchess told the Mirror: "Sarah, Duchess of York was recently diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer detected at a routine mammogram screening. She was advised she needed to undergo surgery which has taken place successfully."
The duchess has vowed to urge a national breast cancer screening drive (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)A friend of the duchess has since told the Mail on Sunday that the surgery lasted eight hours and spent four days in intensive care, adding that she feels "lucky to be alive." They said: "The surgery was very long – getting on for eight hours – and it was more involved than people think. Today, the message she wants to get out is that she is very grateful to those who saved her and she feels very lucky to be alive.
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"Specifically, the duchess wants to thank the two incredible surgeons Christina Choy and Stuart James who carried out the operation and all the medical team who worked tirelessly to help her." This week we reported how the duchess has vowed to urge a national breast cancer screening drive. A pal said: “Undoubtedly this will be an issue the duchess takes up as she feels it is incredibly important to spread this message and awareness.”
The Duchess of York's representatives previously told Mirror the royal says her experience "underlines the importance of regular screening". Since undergoing surgery after the shock diagnosis,Fergie has urged others to take advantage of cancer screening programmes. Opening up about her diagnosis, the Duchess added: "I'm taking this as a real gift to me to change my life, to nurture myself."