Sarah Ferguson shares her life changes since having breast cancer
Sarah Ferguson says her mastectomy is her 'badge of office'
What did you miss?
Sarah Ferguson has revealed on Tuesday how she has been spurred on to be herself since having breast cancer, saying: "It makes me be myself, I feel myself." She spoke honestly and openly after she asked about how her life had changed.
The Duchess of York has bravely told her story following a successful mastectomy after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in June. Speaking now about her own experiences on Good Morning Britain, Ferguson hailed her mastectomy as her "badge of office" and encouraged viewers to get their routine mammograms.
What, how and why?
'I feel like my mastectomy is a badge of office'
'It makes me be able to be myself. I'm really present with you and it's great. I'm very lucky'
Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York shares how her life has changed since having breast cancer. pic.twitter.com/BVqH9ACL36— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) December 12, 2023
Going back to Reid’s first question, Ferguson reflected: "Which leads me back to your original point, have you changed since I’ve had my breast cancer? I’ve always believed in life and joy and brought my girls up to believe that. This hasn’t given me that moment 'I'm so lucky I'm going to going and give', I’ve always been like this but it makes me be myself. I feel myself. I’m not nervous."
Showing her cheeky side, Ferguson poked fun at the fact she was "terrified" about being on live TV. On the flip side of not being nervous, she jested: "I’m terrified, it’s live TV. You never know these curveballs. I think in life, I’m really present with you. I'm present with all of you out there. It's pretty great. I’m very lucky."
In her inspiring way, she urged Good Morning Britain viewers to go for their routine mammograms. She said it’s better the "sooner" doctors find something. "You’ve got to let the wonderful medical staff get you through it," she said. "I had the most incredible people helping me through the way. It’s ok to be terrified. Together we can be strong."
Down-to-earth, the charity patron said she had googled mastectomy before having one. Plus, she said she has spoken about her experiences because she wants too. She told presenters Ed Balls and Susanna Reid: "I had to have a mastectomy. You look it up and go on medical things, Dr google, it tells you all these different things. I was so silent I went into my fears. I wanted to talk about it. You’ve been brave to talk about it too."
Susanna Reid credited Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, for encouraging her personally to have her routine mammogram after speaking openly about her own experiences. Ed Balls also praised the mum-of-two for having the "courage" to speak about it. "Thank you," she responded. "Sorry to be bold but this is Derek. It could be Dereka. It could be they. I’m talking about my left breast. I am really proud of it. I feel my mastectomy is my badge of office."
What else happened on Good Morning Britain?
In the lead up to Christmas, Ferguson also highlighted the importance of kindness and why we should be kind to others. She explained her reasoning behind it: "I just think that it takes one second to be kind. Not to push someone off a pavement, take a moment... Be kind."
She added: "What religion am I? I just say kindness. It’s really interesting. It takes them away from thinking what box you should be in. Kindness is simply the word I believe in."