By Julianne McShane —
NBC News
Hugh Jackman is asking his fans to protect themselves from the sun this summer after sharing that he has undergone new tests for skin cancer, following a recent medical check-up.
On Monday night, the 54-year-old actor announced in an Instagram video that he had undergone two biopsies of spots on his nose that his doctor said could be basal cell carcinoma, a common type of skin cancer that it is diagnosed about 3.6 million times a year in the US, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
"I'll know in two or three days, and as soon as I know, I'll tell you
," Jackman said in the video.
Hugh Jackman at the Venice International Film Festival on September 8. Rocco Spaziani / Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images file
According to the Mayo Clinic, this cancer originates in basal cells, a type of cell that produces new skin cells as the ones in the body die.
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Basal cell carcinoma lesions may appear on the head, face, and neck as a slightly transparent bump;
a brown, black, or blue lesion;
a flat, scaly patch with a raised border or a white, waxy, scar-like lesion, according to specialists at the Mayo Clinic.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, this cancer rarely spreads beyond its original location and is easily treatable when caught early.
Jackman says that although basal cell carcinoma is "the least dangerous of all," it should be avoided by using sun protection.
"If you will allow me to take this opportunity to remind you that summer is coming, for those of us in the northern hemisphere, please use sun protection," he said.
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"As much as you want to tan, believe me, believe me, believe me. This is all something that happened 25 years ago and is now coming to light. Put on sunscreen, and you're still going to have an amazing time out there. Please be careful." said.
It is not the first time that Jackman has faced skin cancer and has spoken publicly about it.
In August 2021, the actor posted a similar video in which he urged his fans to use sunscreen after a spot on his nose was biopsied.
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He also underwent the same procedure in February 2017, May 2014 and November 2013, and in all cases he went to social networks to urge his followers to protect themselves from the sun.
In the text that accompanies the video, Jackman alluded to those earlier cases: "I know you've already heard me talk about my basal cell carcinomas. I'm going to keep talking about them, if I have to. And if that reminds you of just one person, use sunscreen, then I'll be happy."