Actor Hugh Jackman Now Urges Others to Embrace Sun Safety to Prevent Skin Cancer
- Actor Hugh Jackman, 57, says he has battled basal cell carcinoma – a type of skin cancer – six times, reflecting that much of his skin damage stemmed from growing up in Australia, where tanning was culturally expected, and sun protection was rarely emphasized.
- Jackman was first diagnosed in 2013 and has only had basal cell carcinoma, the most common—and highly preventable—form of skin cancer linked to ultraviolet (UV) exposure such as tanning, according to research published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
- Jackman’s doctor warned he may face additional skin cancers as he ages. “The doctor said, ‘You’re going to get a bunch more in your life because as you get older, your immune system starts to slow down,” Jackman explained.
- Surgery is the most likely treatment for BCC, with Mohs surgery considered the “gold standard according to the medical journal International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
- Stanford dermatologist Dr. Sumaira Aasi explains that Mohs surgery removes very thin layers of tissue and examines them in real time, allowing surgeons to precisely map where cancer cells remain and take only the smallest additional margins needed until the tumor is fully cleared.
- “The Mohs surgeon will take a conservative cut circumferentially around the cancer, where we’re able to preserve healthy tissue,” Dr. Aasi explained.
“Growing up in Australia, if you didn’t have a tan, everyone would make fun of you; it was a big deal,” Jackman told Stern.
“I’ve had like six bouts of skin cancer; there are different types: melanoma, squamous cell, I’ve only had basal cell,” Jackman said.
Jackman says his doctor cautioned him that he may have more bouts with skin cancer as he grows older.
“It’s a cancer, it grows, and if you don’t take it out, it’ll get into your bones, then you’ll have to take the bone out, but the doctor said, ‘You’re going to get a bunch more in your life because as you get older, your immune system starts to slow down,” Jackman explained.
According to research published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, “There is a direct link between ultraviolet exposure and the development of BCC, as UV exposure damages DNA and induces mutations in tumor suppressor genes.” Although BCC is the most common cancer, it is the “least likely cancer to metastasize,” the researchers added.
BCC Risk Factors include:
- Fair skin
- Older than age 50
- Exposure to UV radiation
The Skin Cancer Foundation describes the notable signs of BCCs, which include:
- Appear like open sores
- Red patches
- Pink growths
- Shiny bumps
- Scars or growths that are slightly elevated
- Sometimes, BCCs may ooze, crust, itch, or bleed
According to the medical journal International Journal of Molecular Sciences, surgery is the most likely treatment for BCC, with Mohs surgery considered the “gold standard surgical approach in high-risk recurrent BCCs.”
Jackman says his doctor told him that all it takes is one bad sunburn to pave the way for BCC.
“[The doctor] said all it takes is if you’ve burned one time really badly. It is the most preventable cancer, I think, that’s around,” Jackman said.
Jackman reflected on his cavalier reaction to tanning and why he feels differently today.
“Even after the first one I had, I was like ahhh, it’d still be good to get a tan before I go away, but by the second [bout with skin cancer] I was thinking, you were an idiot. Be the pasty-skinned guy, who cares?! But, growing up in Australia, if you didn’t have a tan, everyone would make fun of you; it was a big deal.”
Helping You Navigate Skin Cancer and Prevention
- Yes, People Of Color Get Skin Cancer, And It Can Be Deadlier: These Sunscreens Are Made Specifically For Darker Skin Tones
- 3 Skin Cancer Myths, Busted: Can One Bad Sun Burn Cause Cancer?
- Cancer-Causing Chemical Found in Banana Boat Sunscreen Leads to Recall; How to Select the Right Sunscreen for Your Skin
- A Melanoma Vaccine for Metastatic Patients
Mohs Micrographic Surgery: A Precise Approach to Skin Cancer Treatment
Mohs surgery is the leading method for treating skin cancer on delicate, high-risk areas like the face, ears, and nose. This meticulous technique—known as Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS)—uses microscopic guidance to remove cancerous tissue layer by layer, ensuring that only affected areas are excised while preserving as much healthy skin as possible.
WATCH: The best surgery option for melanoma.
It’s especially effective for treating common skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
During the procedure, the area is numbed with a local anesthetic. The surgeon carefully removes the visible tumor with a scalpel and immediately examines the tissue under a microscope. If cancer cells remain, the process is repeated—one layer at a time—until all cancerous cells are gone.
This methodical approach offers high cure rates, particularly when cancers are caught early, and minimizes scarring for sensitive, visible areas of the body.
“What is being done is that you’re able to remove a very conservative margin around the cancer and study it in, essentially, real time,” explains Dr. Sumaira Aasi, a professor of dermatology and Director of Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery at Stanford.
“The Mohs surgeon will take a conservative cut circumferentially around the cancer, where we’re able to preserve healthy tissue. We’re able to process the tissue and look at the cancerous tissue and know where there are still tumor cells persisting. As the Mohs surgeon removes the cancer, it’s mapped out.”
Dr. Aasi adds that the surgeon may go back specifically to the areas where the cancer cells were present and take out another conservative margin or amount of cancerous tissue and repeat the process until the cancer is out completely.
Surgery for BCC
When someone has surgery for basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the process usually follows several key steps:
- Diagnosis: A dermatologist first confirms the presence of BCC, typically through a skin biopsy. A small sample of the suspicious area is removed and examined under a microscope to identify cancerous cells.
- Pre‑operative evaluation: Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the care team assesses the patient’s overall health and the tumor’s size, depth, and location to determine the best surgical approach.
- Surgical removal (often Mohs surgery):
- As Dr. Sumaira Aasi of Stanford explains, surgeons can remove very thin layers of tissue and examine them under a microscope in real time. If cancer cells are still present, they remove another small layer. By taking the smallest possible margins and checking each stage microscopically, the surgeon can be confident the cancer is fully removed once the final layer is clear. This is typically done as an outpatient procedure with local anesthesia.
- Reconstruction: Depending on how much tissue was removed and where the cancer was located, reconstruction may be needed to restore appearance or function. This can involve stitches, skin grafts, or other techniques.
- Post‑operative care: Patients receive instructions on caring for the surgical site—usually keeping the area clean, changing dressings as directed, and protecting the skin from sun exposure.
- Follow‑up: Regular check-ins are important to ensure proper healing, monitor for recurrence, and address any concerns that arise after surgery.
Is Skin Cancer Surgery Covered By Insurance?
Some patients worry their insurance company might classify skin cancer surgery as a cosmetic procedure, but experts say that’s rarely the case. Most insurers cover medically necessary skin cancer removal.
“Most surgery is covered by most insurance,” says Dr. Jesse Lewin, System Chief of the Division of Dermatologic & Cosmetic Surgery at Mount Sinai. “Even though the reconstruction is done in a cosmetically sensitive way, it’s not a cosmetic procedure.”
He adds that patients are not billed for cosmetic work after the cancer is removed. One major benefit, he explains, is that a single surgeon can remove the cancer, examine the tissue under a microscope, and perform the reconstruction—all in one visit, while the patient remains awake for this outpatient procedure.
Spotting Skin Cancer
You should check your body for unusual spots or moles at least once a month. Any new spots or changes in size or color demand your attention.
Changes to a mole you’ve had for a while or a new growth on your skin could be signs of melanoma, according to SurvivorNet’s experts. Though these marks are unlikely to be cancerous, you’ll want to keep an eye on them and inform your doctor about any changes you notice.
WATCH: When checking for melanoma, remember your ABCDEs
Melanoma is most likely to develop on sun-exposed skin, such as the face, neck, arms, and legs. Surprisingly, it might also develop in places that have never been exposed to the sun, such as the palms of your hands or soles of your feet, your eyes or mouth, or under your nails.
SurvivorNet experts describe melanoma symptoms as:
- A sore that doesn’t heal
- Color that spreads from the border of a spot to the skin around it
- Redness or swelling that goes beyond the area of a mole.
- Itchiness, tenderness, or pain
- A change in the way the surface of a mole looks.
- Scaliness, oozing, or blood
Tips to Protect Your Skin from Skin Cancer
As many of us enjoy spending lots of time in the sun during the spring and summer, we must remember that the sun can harm us. For most people, there are simple ways to significantly reduce their risk of developing skin cancer.
Dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman offers five ways to protect your skin from cancer. Most of her recommendations are simple to follow and could save your life.
WATCH: How to protect your skin from skin cancer.
Her simple tips include:
- Avoid the sun during peak hours, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you are outside during those hours, protect yourself from harmful sun rays.
- 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. Dr. Engelman also recommends reapplying every few hours or after excessive sweating or swimming.
- Get an annual skin check. You can check your skin for anything that looks out of the ordinary, but you should still get a yearly check to ensure you don’t miss anything. If you notice anything unusual between checks, schedule an appointment to talk to your doctor.
- Avoid tanning beds.
If you feel like you’re just too pale, Dr. Engelman recommends a sunless tanner. “There’s absolutely no benefit to going to a tanning bed,” Dr. Engelman said.
WATCH: Melanoma treatment options
People with Darker Skin Complexions Also Face Skin Cancer Risks
A rare form of melanoma called acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) impacted Bob Marley. According to research published in the medical journal Neoplasia, acral melanoma “arises on the non-hair-bearing skin of the nail bed, palms of the hand and soles of the feet” and is not linked to sun ultraviolet (UV) light like other skin cancers.
This rare subtype of melanoma is more common among people of Black, Hispanic/Latin, and Asian descent. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says, “Non-Hispanic Black people are often diagnosed with melanoma at later stages, and the predominant histologic types of melanomas that occur in non-Hispanic Black people have poorer survival rates than the most common types among non-Hispanic white people.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If you are diagnosed with skin cancer, you may have some questions for your doctor. SurvivorNet suggests the following to help you on your cancer journey.
- What type of skin cancer do I have?
- What treatment options exist for my specific 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
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
