‘Modern Family’ Star Jesse Tyler Ferguson Has Skin Cancer Removed: ‘Don’t Worry, I Got It Early’

In a new post on Instagram, Ferguson writes: “Reminder to stay up to date on your dermatology checks… especially if you're fair like me. I always wind up getting something taken from me, every time I go…”

 

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The actor continues, saying: “…Today, they took a bit of skin cancer that they found. Don't worry, I got it early and I'm gonna be just fine. (and, wear sunscreen! SPF 1000 for me!)

Types of Skin Cancer

While Ferguson didn’t share the specific type of skin cancer with which he was diagnosed, there are different types of this disease that all fall under the umbrella of “skin cancer.” Of note, skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer in the U.S.

There are three main types of this disease: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), approximately 8 out of 10 skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas (BCC). This type is also sometimes called basal cell cancer.

BCC typically develops on areas of the skin that are exposed to sun. They may appear as raised areas on the skin with pale, pink, or red-ish colors, and they may also have abnormal blood vessels.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is also very common. Squamous cells are flat cells in the upper (outer) part of the skin, and they constantly shed as new ones form. When the cells grow excessively, they can develop into squamous cell skin cancer, says the ACS.

Melanoma

Melanoma accounts for just 1 percent of skin cancers, and it is the most deadly type of skin cancer. When detected early, melanoma can be treated with surgery. If it’s caught at a later stage and has spread, other treatments, such as radiation may be required.

Oncologist Dr. Anna Pavlick of the Perlmutter Cancer Center and NYU Langone Health explains the process for removing a stage one melanoma in an earlier interview. She says, “For patients who have stage 1 melanoma, the excision is done by the dermatologist. It’s a local procedure. You don’t need to be hospitalized for it.”

“The first thing that we do always is to clean off the skin,” says Dr. Pavlick. “Clean off the area with some betadine or a cleanser that will sterilize that area and get rid of the bacteria. We will then inject lidocaine or a local anesthetic that will numb up that area. The dermatologist will then take a scalpel, and cut an ellipse or a circle around that area, making sure that they get enough skin around it, as well as underneath that lesion, and then put in some sutures or some stitches.”

Removing a Stage One Melanoma

Protecting Your Skin

To lower your skin cancer risk and protect your skin especially during the upcoming summer months there are a few easy steps you can take. Dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman tells us in an earlier interview that she advises five primary methods for skin protection. They include:

1. Avoid sun during peak hours This means from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It doesn't mean you should never go outside during the middle of the day, but make sure you're protected when you do venture outdoors.
2. Cover your skin and eyes A wide brim hat and sunglasses will protect your face, the top of your head, your ears, and the delicate skin around your eyes.
3. Wear an SPF of 30 or higher. Dr. Engelman recommends reapplying every few hours, or after excessive sweating or swimming.
4. Get an annual skin check You can check your own skin for anything that looks out of the ordinary, but you should still get a yearly check to make sure you didn't miss anything. If you do happen to notice anything out of the ordinary in between checks, schedule an appointment to talk to your doctor about it ASAP.
5. Avoid tanning beds. "There's absolutely no benefit to going to a tanning bed," Dr. Engelman said.

Top 5 Ways to Protect Your Skin From Skin Cancer

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