Duchess of York meets Corrie star Sally Dynevor on visit to the Nightingale Centre in Manchester
ITV Granada Reports correspondent Rob Smith spoke to the Duchess of York about her experiences of breast cancer treatment
The Duchess of York says she "wouldn't be here" if she had missed her cancer screening appointment.
Sarah Ferguson has been speaking about her experiences of breast cancer with patients at a specialist cancer centre in Manchester on Wednesday, 9 October.
"I wouldn't be sitting here if I hadn't made that drive": The Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.
She was joined by actress Sally Dynevor, who plays Sally Metcalfe on Coronation Street, for a tour of the Nightingale Centre in Wythenshawe.
The former wife of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, revealed in 2023 that she had the disease and, just six months later, was also diagnosed with skin cancer.
The duchess underwent an eight-hour single mastectomy operation and reconstruction after she was diagnosed following a routine mammogram.
But she says she almost missed her appointment until her sister, who was visiting from Australia, convinced her to go.
"It was after a bank holiday and it was very hot, and I didn't want to drive into London", she explains.
"Isn't it ridiculous to think that I wouldn't be sitting here if I hadn't made that drive. I went in thinking it was all going to be fine and, of course, it wasn't fine."
The duchess says she is "living proof" of the importance of never skipping screening appointments and urges anyone who has symptoms to do the same.
"This is why I wanted to become a patron. I want to be here and say 'I've been through it'", she said. "Now, let's work hard to prevent people from going through it."
The duchess visited the state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment centre as part of her new role as patron of the Prevent Breast Cancer charity.
During the trip, she helped launch a public appeal to help raise £600,000 for a National Breast Imaging Academy in Manchester.
The academy would allow an extra 13,000 women to receive mammograms each year in the region, while also training staff from all over the UK.
The duchess and Sally Dynevor, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, were joined by Sue Cleaver, who plays Eileen Grimshaw on Corrie, for the visit.
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.”
The Duchess of York 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.
Prevent Breast Cancer and Manchester NHS Foundation Trust Charity has secured 80% of the costs, but they are are calling for support to help raise the final total.
The duchess also visited the set of Coronation Street at ITV Studios at Media City in Salford Quays.
She pulled a pint in the Rovers Return, and met executive producer of continuing drama Iain MacLeod, the programme's assistant producer Verity MacLeod, and Matt Cleary, director of production, and said: "I've got to bamboozle you three to allow me to do a cameo."
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