Lip Cancer Strikes Beloved Orlando TV Anchor After Discovery of ‘Pea-Sized Knot,’ Now He’s Stepping Away From Work To Undergo Treatment: ‘Thank You For Your Prayers’

Warmoth initially realized something was wrong with his lip when he was shaving, as the knot never healed, but prior to getting checked he admits, “I had known something was there for a long time.”

The loving husband and dad was set to undergo a vermilionectomy, which he explains to WFTV Channel 9 as surgery to remove his entire lower lip and build another one, on Thursday morning, noting that a plastic surgeon will be there as well.

In an effort to inspire others, especially men, to get checked and follow their gut when something feels off with their bodies, Warmoth is sharing his story. “Men we need to man up, he said in a video interview with the news organization.

“If this is not taken care of, there are lymph nodes, there’s a whole host of pretty scary stuff that could happen. And I want to be here,” he insisted.

“I think it’s important for people to see my journey and I’m hopeful, and I’m confident. And the Bible talks about that all good and bad is used for the good. And so I think, and I trust, that that’s going to happen.”

In a sweet letter to his “WFTV friends,” Warmoth wrote,”For the past 37 years, I have reported on the lives and events in other people’s lives. Tonight, I talk about an event happening in my life.

“After consulting with dermatologists, radiologist and oncologists, I will be stepping away from my duties here at WFTV for the near future for surgery and recovery but will be back.”

The father of three, who first joined WFTV on August 2, 1986, explained he will be stepping away from work to undergo treatment, which includes surgery at AdventHealth and “pathology to verify it’s all been removed.”

Warmoth continued, “A good outcome, like in all medical procedures, isn’t a guarantee, but I have faith in my surgeon that the cancer will not only be removed but the physical scarring will be something that you at home won’t even notice.”

“Like all cancers and diseases, early detection and treatment are important, and we are hopeful that we caught it early enough to prevent a worse outcome. The doctors at AdventHealth assure me I will be back and better than ever,” he said, jokingly adding that he “may even look more like Brad Pitt.”

Warmoth plans to offer updates on WFTV Channel 9 in the upcoming days and weeks, however, he admits he is unsure what his prognosis will be until the surgery.

He then offered his viewers some wisdom and hope, saying, “I really don’t know what the prognosis will be. But do know this: Had I ignored it, the outcome would be worse. I am fully believing that everything will be fine; and in the Bible, God tells us that He works all things for our good, even bad things.”

“Thank you for your prayers, and I promise to make this a situation that can have a positive effect on the importance of not ignoring the warning signs,” Warmoth concluded. “I did for a while. But never again. You take care of yourself.”

Learning About Squamous Cell Lip Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx, is a type of oral cancer. “Almost all of the cancers in the oral cavity and oropharynx are squamous cell carcinomas, also called squamous cell cancers,” the ACS explains.

Squamous cells are described as flat, thin cells that form the mouth and throat’s lining.

“The earliest form of squamous cell cancer is called carcinoma in situ. This means that the cancer cells are only in the layer of cells called the epithelium (the top layer of cells lining the oral cavity and oropharynx),” the ACS explains.

“This is different from invasive squamous cell cancer, where the cancer cells have grown past the epithelium, into the deeper layers of the oral cavity or oropharynx.”

The Value of Sunscreen

Warmoth says his lip cancer was caused by years of exposure to the Florida sun, so it’s important to remember that wearing sunscreen helps protect your skin from harmful rays from the sun that can cause skin cancer.  Apply a generous amount of broad-spectrum sunscreen every two hours and wear sun-protective clothing when possible, including hats and sunglasses.

‘Choose the Right Sunscreen and Use it Often,’ Says Leading Dermatologist

“When it comes to melanoma, if you use sunscreen, there is this great study that came out of Australia that if patients used sunscreen consistently over a period of 10 years, they were actually able to reduce their risk for melanoma by 50%,” dermatologist Dr. Cecilia Larocca tells SurvivorNet.

Many types of sunscreens are on the market, and choosing the right one could perplex some people. However, experts tell SurvivorNet that your outdoor activity could guide your sunscreen choice.

WATCH: Choosing the right sunscreen.

Dr. Snehal Amin, a dermatologist in Manhattan, further explains this point.

Looking for a great sunscreen for the kids? “When I’m using sunscreens on my younger kids, I recommend Neutrogena free and clear stick — which is zinc and titanium-based,” Dr. Amin said.

Do you an outdoor or water sport? “I make sure that I use a sports-based sunscreen. There’s a lot of sports-based sunscreens … They all are very greasy, and they stay on the skin even during water activities,” Dr. Amin said. He recommended the brand SkinCeuticals.

How else can I protect my skin? Sunscreen isn’t the only option when it comes to protecting your skin from the sun — you can also wear SPF-proof clothing.

“Rather than slathering a gallon of sunscreen onto your skin and then going for a dip … it probably makes sense to wear a surf shirt which is long-sleeved, as well as certain other types of sunscreens, which are more inert to protect the environment,” Dr. Amin added.

Dr. Larocca recommends using sunscreen with no less than SPF 30, which protects against UVB and UVA rays.

According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, you should:

• Avoid sun exposure during peak hours when the sun’s rays are strongest, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside.
• Use at least SPF 30 broad spectrum sunblock and reapply every 2 hours when outdoors.

“The truth is that when you put on sunscreen, most of us don’t even put on enough sunscreen to actually get the true SPF that’s listed on the label,” explains Dr. Larocca. “In general, we actually only put on 50% of what our SPF is. So if you put on an SPF 60, you’re likely to get an SPF 30 effect. Regardless, even with that information, we recommend a minimum of SPF 30.”

The other important thing to look for when it comes to sunscreen is whether or not it’s broad spectrum. “So broad spectrum means it covers both UVB and UVA rays,” Dr. Larocca adds. “Thankfully, those are FDA regulated terms. And if it’s not listed on the sunscreen bottle, chances are it doesn’t provide that. When I go out in the sun, I make sure that I wear a hat, I wear sunglasses that are polarized, and I use sunscreen regularly.”

Of course, limiting your time in the sun is an even more sure-fire way to protect yourself. Cover up and make sure to get regular skin checks at the dermatologist.

How to Protect Your Skin

There are other ways to protect your skin, too. Not only can you take preventative action, but also by getting annual skin checks you can stay on top of your skin health.

In an earlier interview, dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman outlines five easy ways to protect your skin, and lower your skin cancer risk. She tells us:

• Avoid the 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.
• 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.
• Wear an SPF of 30 or higher. Plenty of facial moisturizers have SPF built into them. Reapply often.
• 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 it is always worth it to make sure.
• Avoid tanning beds. “There’s absolutely no benefit to going to a tanning bed,” Dr. Engelman says.

Top 5 Ways to Protect Your Skin From Skin Cancer

Questions for Your Doctor

If you have been diagnosed with melanoma or some other type of skin cancer, here are some questions you may consider asking your doctor to help understand your situation:

• Has my skin cancer spread to other parts of the body, or is it localized?
• What are my treatment options?
• Will there be side effects associated with my treatment?
• What types of financial and emotional support will be available to me as I begin my cancer journey?
• How long do you expect my treatments to last?
• Will I be able to work and continue my daily activities during treatment?

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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