Hugh Jackman Stresses the Importance of Skin Cancer Screenings
The man who played Wolverine wants to remind his fans about the importance of sun safety and skin cancer prevention. Hugh Jackman, known for the title role of that film as well as countless others, shared an Instagram video of him sporting a bandage on his nose. In the video he tells fans about a recent visit to his doctor and dermatologist.
“Hey guys, I just wanted to let you know ..." he starts out before removing his mask from his face to reveal a small bandage on his nose. "I just went to see… my amazing dermatologist and doctors. They saw something that was a little irregular, so they took a biopsy, getting it checked. So, if you see a shot of me with this on, do not freak out.”
According to Dr. Rogerio Neves, Reconstructive Surgery Program Leader with the Department of Cutaneous Oncology at Moffitt Cancer Center, basal cell carcinoma is one of the two most common forms of skin cancer and is highly treatable if detected early. The other is squamous cell carcinoma.
“Chronic sun exposure is one of the primary causes of basal cell carcinoma,” Neves said. “But it can also be brought on by exposure to other ultraviolet lights, including commercial tanning beds.”
That UV light can cause genetic mutations in skin cells, specifically the basal cells, which are responsible for producing new cells as old cells are shed away.
Multiple experiences with basal cell carcinoma are not uncommon. In fact, people who are diagnosed may develop additional lesions elsewhere on their skin later in life.
Skin cancer is not anything new for Jackman, who has been treated for skin cancer on his nose five times. His last bouts with cancer were in 2015 and in 2013, when he was treated for basal cell carcinoma.
As for Jackman, he said his prognosis is good, saying that his medical team doesn’t seem too concerned about his health and that “it’s probably fine.”
