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The Duchess of York has revealed that she has been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a type of skin cancer, just months after she underwent surgery for breast cancer.
The 64-year-old royal shared the news on her Instagram account on Monday, saying that she was ‘shocked’ by the second diagnosis, but also ‘thankful’ for the support she has received from her family and friends.
The duchess said that she discovered the skin cancer after having several moles removed during reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy in June. One of the moles was found to be cancerous, and she is now undergoing further tests to determine the stage and treatment of the disease.
Malignant melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer, and can spread to other parts of the body if not treated early. According to the NHS, the main cause of melanoma is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or artificial sources, such as sunbeds.
The duchess, who is the ex-wife of Prince Andrew and the mother of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, said that she wanted to raise awareness about the importance of skin health and regular check-ups.
She wrote: ‘I am sharing this with you today because I want to encourage everyone to be vigilant about their skin. Please check your moles regularly and if you see any changes, get them checked by a professional. Early detection is key to successful treatment.’
She also thanked her followers for their ‘kind and loving messages’, saying that they ‘mean the world’ to her. She added: ‘I am feeling positive and hopeful for the future. I am so grateful for the love and support of my family, especially my girls, who have been my rocks through this difficult time.’
The duchess is not the first member of the royal family to be diagnosed with skin cancer. In 2018, her former brother-in-law, Prince Charles, revealed that he had a non-malignant basal cell carcinoma removed from his face. He also urged people to protect their skin from the sun and avoid sunbeds.
