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Hugh Jackman is advocating for sunscreen as he reflects on being treated for skin cancer several times.
On Wednesday, Dec. 10, the Golden Globe winner, 57, appeared on The Howard Stern Show and opened up about having to deal with skin cancer over the years and warned others to be more vigilant when out in the sun.
“I’ve had like six skin cancers. There’s three types. Melanoma, the worst. Squamous cell, not great. I’ve only had basal cell.”
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer, which is caused by “abnormal, uncontrolled growth of basal cells” and can usually be cured when treated early.
“No one has ever died in the history of the planet, but it’s a cancer and it grows,” he said. “And if you don’t take it out, it’ll get into your bones and then you’ve got to take the bone out.”
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Jackman said his doctor explained to him that he’s probably “going to get a bunch more” skin cancer diagnoses in his life because of the changes in his immune system as he gets older.
“All skin cancer, all of it happens 25 years before the cancer comes. And he said it could be one time where you got burned really badly. Just one,” the actor said. “Obviously, growing up in Australia, I always had a high risk. But everyone should get a check. It’s the most preventable cancer, I think, that is around.”
“Even after the first one I had, I was like, ‘Ah, but it’d still be good to get a tan when I go away.’ I’m like, what was I thinking? You’re an idiot…Be the pasty skin guy. Who cares?” Jackman said with a laugh.
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The Deadpool 3 star revealed he first had basal cell carcinoma removed from his nose in 2013 after his ex-wife Deborra-Lee Furness told him “to get the mark on my nose checked.” He also said a makeup artist brought the spot to his attention while he was filming the 2014 Marvel movie X-Men: Days of Future Past.
“It’s always a bit of a shock just hearing the word ‘cancer,’ ” he said in 2015. “Being an Australian, it’s a very common thing. I never wore sunscreen growing up, so I was a prime candidate for it.”
Jackman noted at the time that he had four skin cancers removed, three from his nose and one from his shoulder, and added that he has since gone to the doctor’s office “every three months for checkups.”
