The Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson has revealed she has skin cancer just six months after she underwent a mastectomy to treat breast cancer.
The 64-year-old, who was married to Prince Andrew, has been diagnosed with a malignant melanoma.
A spokesperson for the Duchess said she was in "good spirits" after the "distressing" diagnosis.
"Following her diagnosis with an early form of breast cancer this summer, Sarah, Duchess of York has now been diagnosed with malignant melanoma," a statement from the Duchess said.
"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.
"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."
Ferguson had multiple moles removed and analysed during reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy. One of those moles was found to be cancerous.
The news follows a raft of diagnoses which has rocked the Royal Family during the past week.
On Thursday (NZT), it was revealed Catherine, Princess of Wales, will spend up to two weeks recovering in hospital after successfully undergoing abdominal surgery.
Further details of what caused Kate to have the surgery have not been revealed. However, a royal source told CNN that the 42-year-old's condition was non-cancerous.
The same day a statement from Buckingham Palace said King Charles was to go into hospital for an enlarged prostate this week.
It said the 75-year-old would undergo a "corrective procedure" and described his condition as "benign."
