Supermodel and actress Christie Brinkley has been diagnosed with skin cancer.
The 70-year-old star told fans she underwent surgery after doctors found a ‘basal cell carcinoma’ on her face in a harrowing Instagram post on Wednesday (March 13). She also shared graphic photos of her wound after the cancer was removed – before urging her followers to check their bodies regularly for any abnormalities.
“The good news for me is we caught the basal cell Carcinoma early,” she explained in a lengthy post to her 897,000 followers. “And I had great Doctors that removed the cancer and stitched me up to perfection like an haute couture Dior.”
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Christie continued: “The good news for you is that all of this can be avoided by being diligent with your sun protection! I got serious a bit late so now for this ole mermaid/gardener, I’ll be slathering on my SPF 30, reapplying as needed, wearing long sleeves and a wide brim hat. And doing regular total body check ups.. that is a MUST!”
(Image: Instagram)
Basal cell carcinoma is a type of cancer that begins in basal cells – a type of cell within the skin that produces new skin cells as old ones die off, according to Mayo Clinic. Detecting it isn’t always simple, however, but it tends to appear as a transparent bump.
Most basal cell carcinomas are believed to be caused by long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight. Avoiding the sun and using sunscreen could help protect against the condition.
(Image: Getty Images)
Christie went on to add that her diagnosis came purely by chance as she attended one of her daughter’s own appointments, before offering her fans some advice. “I was lucky to find mine, because I was accompanying one of my daughters to HER check up,” she explained.
“The doctor was looking at each freckle with a magnifying glass… it wasn’t my appointment so I wasn’t going to say anything but at the very end I asked if he could just look at a little tiny dot I could feel as I applied my foundation. He took a look and knew immediately it needed a biopsy! He did it then and there! So make your own good luck by making that check up appointment today. And slather up my friends!”
(Image: Instagram)
Fans were quick to thank the star – who’s first major acting role came in 1983’s National Lampoon’s Vacation – for raising awareness of the condition. “Thank you for sharing!” one commented. “I just had two scary ones removed too and not enough of us talk about this here.”
Another penned: “Thank God you’re ok and thank you for lending your powerful voice to sun protection. You’re a beautiful role model Christie, wishing you a speedy recovery.” And a third added: “Wow Christy, thank you for getting our attention with your raw exposure of what happened to you and now we can all bring attention and awaken ourselves, and save ourselves and others.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
