Yesterday, actor Hugh Jackman turned to social media to announce some potentially scary news. He shared that he had recently paid a visit to his doctor, and he wanted to explain the bandage on his nose before “someone sees me on the street or whatever” and wonders what’s going on.
In the video he posted to Instagram, Jackman sits in what appears to be his living room. He wears a black t-shirt and has a noticeable bandage on his nose as he faces the camera.
Jackman started his post by explaining that his doctor “saw little things” but wasn’t sure exactly what those “little things” were. He ended up having two biopsies, and he won’t have the results back for a couple days. He shared, “as soon as I know I’ll let you know.”
His doctor did suspect that the “little things” could be basal cell skin cancer. Jackman didn’t seem terribly worried about it in the video. As he explained, “basal cell, in the world of skin cancers, is the least dangerous of them all.”
Even though the “little things” might be nothing or, worst case, the “least dangerous” type of skin cancer, Jackman took the opportunity to urge all of his followers to “please wear sunscreen.” He noted that “summer is coming for those of us here in the Northern Hemisphere.” He added, “No matter how much you want a tan…put some sunscreen on.” He explained that skipping sunscreen for a tan “is just not worth it.”
In the caption of his post, Jackman wrote, “I know you’ve heard me talk about my basal cell carcinomas before. I’m going to keep talking about them, if need be. And if it reminds even one person to put on sunscreen with a high SPF, then I’m happy.”
If Jackman does in fact have basal cell carcinoma, this won’t be the first time. Back in 2017, he shared that he had been treated for basal cell. He explained, “It is skin cancer but the least dangerous form of it.” He also explained that it was partly due to “being an Aussie with English parents, growing up in Australia, it’s sort of the new normal for me.”
Does it surprise you that Jackman may have skin cancer? Do you wear sunscreen in the summer? Are you more likely to wear sunscreen after hearing about Jackman’s health scare?