Search results
Apr 6, 2023 · Jackman, also known for his starring roles in “Les Misérables” and “The Greatest Showman,” has received treatment for basal cell carcinoma several times, and in 2013, revealed he had a...
- 4 min
Australian actor Hugh Jackman has returned to social media with the news that his recent skin cancer tests are all clear.
Apr 13, 2023 · The actor has had several basal cell carcinomas removed and urges fans to wear sunscreen and see a dermatologist. Learn more about BCC, its risks and how to prevent it from The Skin Cancer Foundation.
Apr 4, 2023 · The Australian actor, who has had at least six skin cancer procedures, urges fans to wear sunscreen and get checked. He says he expects test results for possible basal cell carcinomas on his nose within days.
- Tom Housden
- Overview
- Sun exposure has a cumulative effect on your skin
- Many people don’t use sunscreen as well as they should
- The basics you need to know about sun protection
- When you should reach out to a dermatologist
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
•Actor Hugh Jackman recently announced that he was going through a new skin cancer scare.
•He took the opportunity to educate his followers and urge sunscreen use.
•Surprisingly, many people do not use sunscreen as well as they should.
•Dermatologists say avoiding UV exposure is important to preventing skin cancer.
•Early detection through self-screening makes skin cancer highly treatable.
“X-men” actor Hugh Jackman recently took to his Instagram account with a bandaged nose to share that he had just had two biopsies done for skin cancer following a recent checkup.
Dr. Susan Massick, a board-certified dermatologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, said she thanks Jackman for his honesty regarding his battle with skin cancer, including the way he has spoken about how he acquired the disease and the need for proper screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
She noted that, as Jackman stated, skin cancer arises because of exposure years before.
“[P]rolonged sun exposure, childhood sunburns, and blistering sunburns can have a cumulative effect on your skin, leading to wrinkling, premature aging, discoloration, and even more concerning, skin cancer,” said Massick.
When you are exposed to UV radiation from the sun it creates cellular damage and affects the skin’s ability to repair.
Massick said that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S. The good news, however, is that is preventable and treatable.
The most important way to protect ourselves from skin cancer? Being aware of our exposure to UV light and avoiding it — even on cloudy days. And, as Jackman pointed out, sunscreen plays a central role as well.
Jackman’s efforts to educate people about using sunscreen are particularly praiseworthy considering the fact that many people are woefully uneducated about the dangers of the sun — even when they think they know the facts.
In 2021, the American Academy of Dermatology did a survey in which they found that, despite the high marks people gave themselves on their knowledge of skin cancer, many were not as knowledgeable as they believed.
For example, one-third of people who took the survey said they had gotten a sunburn, even though they had described themselves as having “excellent” knowledge about sun protection.
Additionally, the survey found that 67% of people did not really understand the true meaning of “SPF” or how much protection a particular SPF can provide.
Dr. Terrence A. Cronin Jr., FAAD, and president of the American Academy of Dermatology, said that as a board-certified dermatologist, there are several pieces of advice that he gives people about practicing “safe sun” in order to reduce their risk of skin cancer.
•Seek shade when appropriate. Cronin noted that the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. “If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade,” he advised.
•Wear sun-protective clothing. This could include lightweight, long-sleeved shirts, pants, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses with UV protection, according to Cronin. He also advises looking for clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) label.
•Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Cronin explained that a broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Both types are harmful to the skin. Specifically, you should be using sunscreen anytime you are outside, even on overcast days. Apply enough to cover all exposed areas (about 1 ounce, or enough to fill a shot glass, for the average adult). Reapply every two hours or after you have been swimming or have sweated.
Cronin reiterated that skin cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer and is highly treatable if detected early.
“I recommend that people check their skin regularly by performing a skin self-exam. If you notice new or suspicious spots on your skin or have any spots that are changing, itching, or bleeding, make an appointment to see a board-certified dermatologist,” he said.
Massick added that you can tell if spots are suspicious by remembering the “ABCDEs” — asymmetry, border irregularity, color variation, diameter, and evolution of appearance or symptoms.
You might also want to consider seeing a doctor if you have a personal or family history of skin cancer, a high number of moles, or a history including multiple or blistering sunburns or prior tanning bed use, she said.
The actor shared his latest biopsies for basal cell carcinoma, a common type of skin cancer, and urged fans to use sunscreen. Learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of skin cancer, and how to protect yourself from UV exposure.
Apr 6, 2023 · The Australian actor shares his latest biopsy results and urges fans to wear sunscreen after a new scare. He has been treated several times for basal cell carcinoma, a type of non-melanoma skin cancer.
Apr 4, 2023 · The 54-year-old actor announced in an Instagram video Monday night that he had two biopsies for spots on his nose that his doctor said may be basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer...
