Pro Wrestling Announcer Jim Ross, 74, Says Skin Cancer Wound After 22 Radiation Treatments Is ‘Healing Slowly … But It’s Not Healed’

Speaking on the latest episode of his Grilling JR podcast, the current All Elite Wrestling (AEW) commentator, who is nearing retirement in broadcasting, said, “I have home health care nurses who come to my home twice a week, and they look me over and take my vitals, blood sugar, and blood pressure, and I still have issues.”

Ross explained further, noting that he’s lost more than 50 pounds over the years, “The wound on my left ankle from skin cancer and 22 radiation treatments has not healed.

“So they dress that twice a week. So, that’s good. And it’s looking better, but it’s not healed.”

After describing how his nurses regularly check his vitals, Ross shifted to a challenge he’s been navigating, “I have cravings sometimes for sugar.”

RELATED: Legendary Wrestling Announcer Jim Ross, 74, Survived Multiple Cancers, Discovers New Mass on His Kidney & Expects Surgery That Can Wipe It Out

“I like pie. I like cake. I like cake and ice cream like a little child. And I get pissed at myself sometimes because of my urges,” Ross said. “So I’ve been really watching my blood sugar. And I’m going to continue to do that because that’s a dangerous thing to f**k with. I’m just trying to watch out.”

Ross also shared that he focuses on portion control, aiming to eat most of his meals before 6 p.m. He believes this approach helps curb late-night cravings, particularly for treats like cake and ice cream.

He continued, “Anyhow, my life is getting more structured under new circumstances of my health. And if my toes weren’t broken, I’d be way down the road.

“I can’t do physical therapy … as far as walking or moving my feet, because of my broken toes. They are healing slowly and I’ll [soon] be back in the saddle.”

It’s good news that Ross appears to be recovering, especially given the string of cancer diagnoses he’s faced.

He had surgery for colon cancer last summer, telling fans afterward that his focus had shifted to rehabilitation.

Back in 2021, he disclosed a second skin cancer diagnosis and completed more than 20 rounds of radiation, later sharing in August 2023 that his MRIs had come back clear.

Understanding Skin Cancer

Skin cancer develops when skin cells sustain DNA damage that goes unrepaired, causing them to mutate and multiply out of control, eventually forming tumors. It’s a serious condition, but understanding how it starts is one of the most effective tools for catching it early or preventing it altogether — and learning about it, as you’re doing now, is a meaningful first step.

Skin cancers are majorly categorized into three types:

• Melanoma: Though less common, it’s the deadliest of them all.
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC): Quite common and has the ability to spread distantly if not treated. The vast majority are low risk but some can be aggressive and require multiple treatment.
• Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): The most common type, but luckily the least likely to spread.

Another skin cancer that is much less common, but worth mentioning is Merkel Cell Carcinoma, which is rare and mostly occurs in older adults (average age 74-76). It can be aggressive locally and spread distantly.

The specific type of skin cancer Ross was diagnosed with has not been publicly disclosed.

For most skin cancers you can take steps to reduce your risk and prevent hem. Prevention as well as early detection and treatment are your best chances at a good outcome. We’ll get into the details a bit later in this article.

So, stay with us, we’re here to help you understand, to take care, to prevent, and to detect. Skin cancer may sound scary, but you’re more equipped to face it when you know what you’re dealing with. Knowledge is power, after all.

Knowing Your Risk Factors

Understanding the risk factors can help us all become more proactive about our skin health. While anyone can develop skin cancer, certain factors raise the risk more than others.

• Exposure to sun and ultraviolet (UV) light: This is a substantial risk factor. Excessive sun exposure, especially without proper protection, can cause skin damage leading to skin cancer over time. Don’t forget tanning beds either; they’re no safer than the natural sunlight.
• Light skin, eyes, and hair: Folks with light skin, eyes, and hair are at a higher risk of developing skin cancer since they have fewer pigment-producing cells. However, it’s essential to note that people of all races and skin colors can get skin cancer.
• Family history: If skin cancer runs in your family, you may be at a higher risk. This is especially true if a close relative, like a parent or sibling, had melanoma.
• Age: Older adults are more prone to skin cancer due to the cumulative sun exposure. That doesn’t mean younger people are off the hook, though – especially with the increasing use of tanning beds.
• A weak immune system: If your immune system is compromised due to illness or medication, you may be at a higher risk. Certain diseases, like HIV/AIDS, can also increase the risk.
• Chronic ulcers, scars, or inflammation: If you have chronic ulcers or scarring this can lead to an increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancers locally.

These are just a few risk factors, mind you. Lifestyle choices, like the usage of tobacco or certain medications, can also up your risk.

Remember, having a risk factor doesn’t mean you will get cancer. Knowing these risk factors gives you a chance to minimize them and take better care of your skin.

Skin Cancer Checklist:

In between doctor visits, doing regular self-checks on your skin is also important to find skin cancer early. Again, particularly if you’re high-risk.

Dr. Cecilia Larocca, a dermatologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, recommends looking at your skin once a month for anything suspicious and using the acronym ABCDE as a checklist:

• Asymmetrical moles: if you drew a line straight down the center of the mole, would the sides match
• Borders: irregular, jagged, not smooth; can also stand for bleeding
• Colors: multiple distinct colors in the mole
• Diameter: larger than 6mm, about the size of a pencil head eraser
• Evolution: This may be the most important, anything that is changing over time such as gaining color, losing color, painful, itching, or changing shape.

Recommendations for a Healthy Lifestyle

The experts we have spoken with have all made it clear that there is no “cancer diet,” meaning there are no guidelines that are recommended for every person with cancer.

One Doctor’s Advice for Cancer Survivors

The general recommendations for a healthy lifestyle are the same whether you have cancer or not. But Dr. Ken Miller, the Director of Outpatient Oncology at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center, has some guidelines for cancer survivors who are concerned about a recurrence:

1. Exercise at least two hours a week — and walking counts.
2. Eat a low-fat diet. The Women’s Intervention Nutrition Study, which looked at early stage breast cancer patients, found that a low-fat diet was associated with reduced risk for cancer recurrence, particularly in those with estrogen receptor-negative cancers. Other studies have found that foods with a high glycemic index that are digested quickly and cause a spike in blood sugar may lead to tumor growth in lung cancer patients.
3. Eat a colorful diet with lots of fruits and vegetables. The American Cancer Society recommends aiming for two to three cups of vibrant vegetables and fruits each day.
4. Maintain a healthy weight. Studies have shown that being obese can increase your risk for several types of cancer.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

If you are diagnosed with skin cancer, you may have some questions for your doctor. SurvivorNet suggests some of the following to help you on your cancer journey.

• What type of skin cancer do I have?
• What treatment options exist for this type of cancer?
• Will insurance cover this treatment?
• Would treatment through a clinical trial make sense to me?
• What resources exist to help manage my anxiety because of this diagnosis?

If you have a skin cancer screening coming up or have recently had one, you may have questions you want answered. SurvivorNet’s proprietary AI tool “My Health Questions” is designed specifically for patients and caregivers.

WATCH: How One Cancer Survivor and Her Sister Used “My Health Questions” to Navigate Care

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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