The Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson has been diagnosed with skin cancer following the removal of a cancerous mole during treatment for breast cancer, her spokesman has said.
The 64-year-old was diagnosed with malignant melanoma after several moles were removed during treatment for her last cancer and doctors are working to establish if it was caught early.
The royal "remains in good spirits" despite the diagnosis being so soon after she last received treatment.
"Her dermatologist asked that several moles were removed and analysed at the same time as the duchess was undergoing reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy, and one of these has been identified as cancerous.
"She is undergoing further investigations to ensure that this has been caught in the early stages.
"Clearly, another diagnosis so soon after treatment for breast cancer has been distressing but the duchess remains in good spirits.
"The duchess wants to thank the entire medical team which has supported her, particularly her dermatologist whose vigilance ensured the illness was detected when it was.
"She believes her experience underlines the importance of checking the size, shape, colour and texture and emergence of new moles that can be a sign of melanoma."
Last year the Duchess of York shared how her breast cancer diagnosis changed her life – and given her the confidence to be herself.
The royal underwent a mastectomy at London’s King Edward VII's Hospital last June after doctors detected the disease during a routine test in the Spring.
