Sarah Ferguson has revealed that receiving a cancer diagnosis felt "like a death sentence" as she backs a campaign to improve teenage cancer care.
The Duchess of York, 65, described her cancer diagnosis as a "bomb going off in my life".
Fergie, who was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in 2023 and skin cancer in 2024, is supporting the Teenage Cancer Trust's #AndYoungPeople campaign.
The 65-year-old said that while she received support during her treatment, many young people are left "to struggle alone with the dark thoughts".
Sarah Ferguson has revealed that receiving a cancer diagnosis felt "like a death sentence" as she backs a campaign to improve teenage cancer care
Getty
She wrote in the Times: "I was 63 when I was diagnosed with cancer for the first time and cancer at any age is traumatic."
She added that adults have maturity and life experience to help them advocate for themselves, and their voices are "often taken more seriously".
The campaign launches today with an open letter to Wes Streeting, the health secretary, asking for teenagers to be included in the National Cancer Plan for England.
The initiative calls for supporting teens to receive faster diagnoses, better access to clinical trials and improved mental health support.
Sarah Ferguson was first diagnosed with cancer at 63 years old
GettySarah, a patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust, will visit a cancer unit supported by the charity on Wednesday alongside Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
Fergie wrote: "One group I feel is consistently neglected by those developing health plans and policies is teenagers and young people."
She highlighted that young cancer patients have often received treatment not tailored to their age.
Research from 2023 found that nearly half of teenagers and young adults diagnosed with cancer had to see their GPs more than three times before being referred.
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She said: "I was just told to keep an eye on it."
Sohail, 23, was supported by a Teenage Cancer Trust team at Nottingham City Hospital.
Kate Collins, TCT chief executive, told the Times: "Cancer is different for teenagers and young adults yet they're often overlooked.
"That's why we've launched our #AndYoungPeople campaign, urging the government to listen to the unique needs of young people with cancer."
