The Duchess of York has now shared her first-ever TikTok video, opening up about her terrifying ordeal with cancer. Sarah Ferguson was diagnosed with skin cancer earlier this year, just months after her first fight against breast cancer.
Despite the success of her treatment, with no signs of recurrence or spread, she posted on social media to reflect on her experiences while raising awareness of Pink October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Looking back on her initial breast cancer diagnosis, Sarah recounted feelings of hollowness and ‘total abject fear’, claiming she just ‘couldn’t speak’. “The drive [between hospitals] was 40 minutes and I just didn’t speak – I couldn’t speak,” she said in the post uploaded just yesterday.
“It was very interesting for me not to speak. I couldn’t express myself, I just shut down, I went back into [a] little girl. It was easier not to ask for support and just to deal with it because that’s what I’m used to, that’s what I can do. That’s what I was taught.”
The grandmother’s breast cancer diagnosis took place in 2023 following a routine mammogram screening. As part of her treatment, the Duchess of York underwent an eight-hour operation at London’s King Edward VII’s Hospital.
This involved a single mastectomy operation – referring to the procedure that involves all or part removal of one breast. Although she expressed that cancer was ‘a lot to handle’, she’s now proud of her scars.
She continued: “And it’s only now I am really proud of my scars, they’re really important. I never thought you could free the shackles of your heart by cancer, by learning what it is to be able to talk right now, right this second, about how it feels like to ask for help, to surrender and to realise that everything is going to be okay.
And you can find joy and you can not worry so much.” Captioning the video, she also added: “One cancer diagnosis was bad enough but to go through all those emotions twice was a lot to handle. For anyone going through this now, know that you are not alone.
“I am proud to share that I am officially a patron for #PreventBreastCancer, an incredible organisation that is dedicated to the prediction and prevention of #breastcancer.” Unsurprisingly, Sarah’s heartfelt admission garnered countless comments on the platform as many fans chimed in with their support.
“Welcome to tiktok stay strong,” one person wrote as another added: “We love and support you, welcome to TikTok.”
The Express has approached Sarah Ferguson’s team for confirmation that the TikTok account is officially attributed to the Royal.