Ewan McGregor And 5 Other Celebrities Who Survived Skin Cancer

December 6, 2017

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. It’s estimated that 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer at some point in their lives. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are two more common forms of skin cancer and can be successfully treated and cured if detected early. Melanoma is less common but more dangerous. It’s more likely to spread to other parts of the body. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, on average, 1 American dies from melanoma every hour. This fact stresses the importance of getting your skin checked regularly for any abnormal changes.

No one is immune to cancer. There’s a long list of celebrities who had skin cancer and told the public about it. Many of them are using their fame to raise awareness about the condition and urge people to get checked. Here is a list of 6 famous people who fought the disease and won:

Ewan McGregor

gettyimages

Best known for playing Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars movies, Scottish actor Ewan McGregor told BBC he had a few moles removed from his face, and one that was under his eye turned out to be cancerous. He said:

I just went to have them checked, you have to be careful if you're pale-skinned and you spend time in the sun, with moles.

The actor added:

So, I went to see a specialist who thought they were better to be removed and indeed he was correct.

McGregor urges everyone, especially those who are at a high risk, to get any suspicious moles checked by a doctor.

Brooke Shields

gettyimages

Shields used to be a big fan of sun tanning. But now, she’s more cautious after she had a precancerous spot removed from her face. The actress told People:

I had a spot on my face. The doctor scraped it, and it turned out to be precancerous. I was scared.

Now Shields always uses sunscreen and makes her young daughters do the same.

Anderson Cooper

gettyimages

While covering Barack Obama’s 2008 Presidential campaign, CNN’s star anchor and journalist Anderson Cooper wrote on his CNN blog:

I had minor surgery on Monday. A small spot of skin cancer was removed from under my left eye. I hadn't planned on mentioning this, but I still have stitches and you'll no doubt notice them tonight.

Melanie Griffith

gettyimages

Melanie Griffith has had skin cancer two times, and luckily, both times it was detected early. In December 2009, the actress had an early stage of skin cancer that was successfully removed from her face. In September 2017, US Weekly reported that Griffith had basal cell carcinoma removed from her nose.

Hugh Jackman

Australian actor Hugh Jackman seems to be as tough as his character Wolverine from the X-Men franchise. The actor has beat skin cancer six times; the sixth surgery was in February, 2017. Jackman posted on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQdzEVGjQVt/

Diane Keaton

gettyimages

Diane Keaton has had skin cancer two times. Keaton was first diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma when she was 21. A few years ago, the actress had a surgery to remove a squamous cell carcinoma from her face. Keaton has admitted on multiple occasions that not wearing sunscreen was a mistake, and now, she never goes out without proper sun protection.

Unfortunately, skin cancer is not the only one that affects both famous and ordinary people. But these celebrities managed to successfully fight with cancer thanks to a timely appeal to medicine:

[jwp_place]

Therefore, be attentive to your body and be examined by the doctor systematically to avoid the appearance of dangerous diseases.

Source: Health, Sun & Skin News Blog, Everyday Health, American Academy of Dermatology