Sarah Ferguson has been diagnosed with the 'worst form' of skin cancer

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by Sarah Nathan

Sarah Ferguson has been diagnosed with the 'worst' form of skin cancer – but she sticks to her 'onward and upward' motto, her friends told Page Six.

The Duchess of York, 64, returned home with her daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, by her side after recovering at the famous Mayrlife resort in Austria.

Her infection is the latest health scare for the royal family in just one week. Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, is still in hospital recovering from major abdominal surgery, while King Charles will undergo treatment for prostatitis this week.

A friend told us that although Ferguson had her malignant melanoma removed, she is awaiting test results to see what additional treatment she might need.

This can include further surgical treatment to ensure all margins of the cancer are removed.

Last year, the former rebel prince – who was welcomed back into the royal family by King Charles over Christmas – was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.

In keeping with her sense of humour, she revealed on her podcast that she named her reconstructed left breast “Derek”, adding: “It's very important because it saved my life.”

Duchess. Nicknamed Fergie, she had several moles removed and analyzed by dermatologists during reconstructive surgery and one of them was found to be cancerous.

“The Duchess has gone home and is resting,” a friend said. “This is the worst form of skin cancer you can get.

“But she always says, ‘Onward and upward,’” the friend added. “When the Duchess was diagnosed with breast cancer, she was amazed by the number of people who responded and asked for mammograms. I have no doubt that she will want to make sure people get their skin checked.

Ferguson has now returned to Royal Lodge, the home she shares with her ex-husband Prince Andrew in Windsor. he wrote online Monday: “Thanks to the great vigilance of my dermatologist, the melanoma was detected on time.

“Naturally, being diagnosed with cancer again was a shock, but I am in good spirits and grateful for the many messages of love and support.”

She added: “I think my experience underscores the importance of checking the size, shape, colour, texture and appearance of new moles that could be a sign of skin cancer, and I urge anyone reading this to be diligent.”

She posted a photo from Mayrlife Medical Health Resort, whose clients include the likes of Suki Waterhouse, Naomi Campbell, Karlie Kloss and Rebel Wilson.

Speaking about her battle with cancer, the Her Heart for Compass author said on her podcast, Tea Chats with the Duchess and Sarah: “When I look back, you know, I was OK… I've got good legs and I look good”. “And I didn't like myself, because I think, you know, I was always compared to Diana,” she said, referring to her former sister-in-law Princess Diana.

Ferguson also described her surgery as a “wake-up” moment to “stop the self-hatred.”

“[It took] A part of the body that has to be cut off in order for you to wake up and stop worrying, stop self-hatred, stop self-doubt, stop all these things. “Stop not liking yourself,” she added.