Sarah Ferguson Advocates Young Cancer Patients' Needs After Dual Diagnosis

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 and malignant melanoma in 2024, has used her personal health challenges to advocate for better support for young cancer patients. Alongside her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, she is actively raising awareness and supporting the Teenage Cancer Trust, focusing on the unique challenges teenagers and young adults face when diagnosed with cancer. Ferguson stresses that most cancer care systems are designed for older adults, often leaving young patients overlooked and without age-appropriate care or adequate mental health and clinical trial access. Through the Trust's #AndYoungPeople campaign, she has called on the UK government to prioritize faster diagnosis, improved treatment options, and targeted support for this age group in the National Cancer Plan for England. Ferguson’s advocacy is informed by decades of involvement with the Teenage Cancer Trust and her firsthand experience of how tailored care can significantly improve survival rates and quality of life for young people. Her efforts seek to ensure that young cancer patients' voices are heard and their specific needs are addressed.