Sarah Ferguson breaks silence after 'shock' second cancer diagnosis within a year

Sarah Ferguson has broken her silence on been diagnosed with an aggressive form of skin cancer just six months after undergoing a successful operation to treat breast cancer.The Duchess of York released a statement on her Instagram alongside a picture of herself standing next to a river, as she vowed to ‘take some time to herself’ amid her health battle.

Sarah said she is in “good spirits” and “grateful for the many messages of love and support” after announcing she had been diagnosed with malignant melanoma.The royal penned "I have been taking some time to myself as I have been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer, my second cancer diagnosis within a year after I was diagnosed with breast cancer this summer and underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. "It was thanks to the great vigilance of my dermatologist that the melanoma was detected when it was. "Naturally another cancer diagnosis has been a shock but I’m in good spirits and grateful for the many messages of love and support." Brave Sarah then highlighted the importance of having your moles regularly checked for any changes.

She continued: "I believe my experience underlines the importance of checking the size, shape, colour and texture and emergence of new moles that can be a sign of melanoma and urge anyone who is reading this to be diligent. "I am incredibly thankful to the medical teams that have supported me through both of these experiences with cancer and to the MAYRLIFE Clinic for taking gentle care of me in the past weeks, allowing me time for recuperation.

I am resting with family at home now, feeling blessed to have their love and support. " Sarah will undergo further tests to discover if her cancer has spread but there are.