Sarah two of her star pals for a poignant visit to a cancer centre after opening up about her fears after her own diagnosis.
Fergie joined , who plays Sally Metcalfe, and , who is Eileen Grimshaw in the soap, as she spoke out about her experience with breast cancer and urged women to attend their screenings as she became patron of a cancer charity. The three women toured the Nightingale Centre in Wythenshawe, , as the duchess was announced as a patron of charity Prevent Breast Cancer.
She was introduced to the charity, which is raising money for a new National Breast Imaging Academy, by Dynevor when both appeared as panellists on 's and discussed their personal experiences of breast cancer.
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The duchess underwent an operation last year after she discovered she had an early form of the disease during a routine mammogram. Months later, she was diagnosed with malignant melanoma skin cancer and was later given the all-clear after treatment. The King and the have also been undergoing cancer treatment this year.
It comes after when she was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. The 64-year-old - who was married to Prince Andrew and has daughters Princess Beatrice, 36, and Princess Eugenie, 34 - underwent a single mastectomy after being diagnosed with the disease last June and explained that her mind went to the "darkest places" when she initially received the news.
Writing for The Sun newspaper, she said: "When you're told you have cancer, you can’t help thinking it’s a death sentence. Your mind goes to the darkest places and you wonder what lies ahead and how you are going to share the news with your family.
"That was certainly the case for me last year when a routine mammogram detected breast cancer, something I had always dreaded. I had almost missed the appointment as I couldn’t face a journey into central London on a hot summer’s day and thought I would put it off."
Last November, Sue announced she had become the patron for Prevent Breast Cancer, and has shared photos on her of herself undergoing a mammogram whilst encouraging others to check their breasts. Meanwhile Corrie star Dynevor was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, at the same time as her character was battling the illness on screen.
They visited the Nightingale Centre, the base for Prevent Breast Cancer as the charity launched a public appeal to raise £600,000 for a National Breast Imaging Academy in Manchester – which will train 50 new breast imaging specialists a year.
Speaking to patient Ellen Aldred, 44, from Saddleworth, about the decision to have a mastectomy, the duchess said: "I’m sitting here with a mastectomy and I know exactly the feeling, so for once, I can say I do understand exactly how you feel."
She also praised Macmillan clinic lead Karen Livingstone, who was delivering physiotherapy, telling her: "You're a very nice person, very kind, very comforting.” She served up a cappuccino at the centre’s cafe after greeting patients in the waiting room.
Construction of the imaging academy, at Wythenshawe Hospital, is due to start next month. Fundraising by Prevent Breast Cancer and Manchester Foundation Trust Charity has secured more than 80 per cent of the costs but the organisations are calling for public support to help raise the final £600,000. Visit to find out more.
