What is melanoma? Your questions about the skin cancer answered after Sarah Ferguson’s diagnosis – including how to check your moles [Video]

17:10 EST 21 Jan 2024 , updated 18:23 EST 21 Jan 2024

Sarah Ferguson has been diagnosed with the most serious type of skin cancer – a malignant melanoma.

The Duchess of York, 64, had a mole removed from her body while undergoing breast reconstruction surgery last year, one of which was found to be cancerous.

The cancer occurs after the DNA in skin cells is damaged, triggering mutations that can form malignant tumours – which can be deadly. 

Around 17,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma each year, according to the latest figures published on the Cancer Research UK website. 

There is an annual average of 2,300 deaths from the skin cancer, according to the charity, with it accounting for around 1 per cent of cancer deaths. 

 Here, MailOnline looks at what melanoma is, how to spot it and how to prevent it.