Sarah Ferguson is now home after a “successful” surgery to treat breast cancer.
The 63-year-old was recently diagnosed with the disease following a routine mammogram screening.
A spokesperson for the duchess said: “She was advised she needed to undergo surgery which has taken place successfully.
“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.”
According to the spokesperson, Sarah did not experience any symptoms.
“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,” they said.
However, it is also important to be aware of the potential symptoms that could appear.
Many people know to look out for lumps that can be found in the breast or armpit, however, there are some lesser known signs.
Cancer Research UK lists other symptoms of the disease as:
- A change in size, shape or feel of your breast
- Skin changes in the breast
- Fluid leaking from the nipple in a woman who isn’t pregnant or breastfeeding
- Changes in the position of the nipple
- Breast pain.
Changes to the breasts
The charity explains: “Breast cancer might cause your breast to look bigger or have a different shape than usual, it might feel different.
“It can help to be breast aware. This means getting to know the size, shape and feel of your breasts.”
Skin changes
Skin changes of the breast can include:
- Puckering
- Dimpling
- A rash
- Redness.
“The skin might look like orange peel or the texture might feel different,” Cancer Research UK says.
Although these skin changes can also be caused by other breast conditions it is still important to get them checked.
Fluid leaking
Again this could be caused by another medical condition.
However, fluid leaking from a nipple in a woman who isn’t pregnant or breastfeeding can be a sign of breast cancer.
Change in the nipple
Cancer Research UK says: “One nipple might turn in or sink into the breast. It might look or feel different than usual.”
Breast pain
According to the charity, breast pain is “common” and “not normally” due to cancer.
It adds: “You might get pain in one or both breasts. This usually goes away after some time.
“There might be no obvious reason for this pain, even if you have a lot of tests.”
Men can also get breast cancer although it is much less common.
The most common symptoms in men include a painless lump in the breast and changes to the nipple.
If you experience any symptoms of breast cancer you should speak to your GP.
