Hollywood celebrities who have had skin cancer

Having fame and fortune doesn't mean you can escape health issues that impact us all, there are a number of high profile celebrities that have been impacted by melanoma and skin cancer. 

Celebrities who have been impacted personally by skin cancer have urged their communities to get their skin checked, wear sunscreen and sun protective clothing.

We have listed below a few recent examples to highlight that skin cancer can impact anyone.

Khloe Kardashian 

Khloe had a suspicious mole removed from her back in 2016 and posted on social media: "They took the whole thing out and they biopsied it. Thankfully, it was benign. I've gone through this process a couple of times and I am so grateful that most moles have not been cancerous......Now that I've gone through this a couple of times, I am extra aware of my skin, body and moles."

Following this experience, the 32 year old encouraged her followers to see a doctor if they notice anything suspicious about their skin, she said "I'm writing this post with the hope that my story can get some of you in to see your doctor if you notice something wrong with your skin.

"I haven't had a problem in years, but wanted to share my experience with you so that if you notice something doesn't look right, you will take action and take care of your health!"

Jesse Tyler Ferguson 

The Modern Family Star had a skin cancer removed from his face in 2015. As a redhead Ferguson is more susceptible to sunburn and skin cancer. Since the scare when he was only 40 years old he has brought awareness to skin cancer issues by informing his followers of the dangers of skin cancer and doing a number of TV interviews to reveal his story.

Hugh Jackman

In 2017, Hugh who is most famous for his roles as Wolverine in X-Men and Jean Valjean in Les Miserables had a sixth skin cancer removed from his face. Jackman took to social media to say "Deb (his wife) told me to get the mark on my nose checked. Boy was she right! I had a basil cell carcinoma. Please do not be foolish like me. Get yourself checked. And use sunscreen".

The Australian has been active on social media informing his followers of the dangers of UV exposure over the years given his personal experience with skin cancer.

Ewan Mcgregor

In 2008, Star Wars superstar McGregor had several moles removed after a visit to a specialist including one under his right eye which proved to be cancerous as reported by the Daily Mail.

At the time Ewan said "'I just went to have them checked, you have to be careful if you're pale skinned and you spend time in the sun, with moles. So I went to see a specialist who thought they were better to be removed and indeed he was correct,' he told the BBC 

Melanie Griffith

The actress has reportedly battled with skin cancer over the years. She first had a suspicious mole removed in 2009 and has reportedly had a recurrence of skin cancer in 2017. 

Vinnie Jones

Jones, football player turned Hollywood actor was diagnosed with melanoma in 2013 and has been managing his condition carefully ever since. Vinnie has blamed his outdoors lifestyle as a football player and then moving to LA to pursue his film career. 

Talking to the BBC, Jones urged people to be more vigilant: ""Footballers never put on sunblock and they should all be wearing it," he said. "Kids should all be wearing it every time they play sport."

"If you spot something on your skin that doesn't feel right... get it checked out immediately."

Brooke Shields

Brooke had a skin cancer scare in 2009 when her doctor pointed out a suspicious mole and had it removed from her face.“I had a spot on my face. The doctor scraped it, and it turned out to be precancerous,” Shields, 43 at the time, told People Magazine. “I was scared.”

Shields didn't realise that her past behaviour could have an impact later on in life: “All my girlfriends and I would go up on the roof in New York; we didn’t have to be at the beach,” says Shields, who stopped actively tanning a decade ago. “You think that because you’re not in the sun anymore, it’s all in the past. And then something like that crops up and you’re made aware of how dangerous it really can be.”

Brooke now promotes skin cancer prevention and is the face of a sunscreen brand in the US.

Solbari, Australian UPF50+ Sun Protection

Solbari is an award-winning UPF50+ Australian sun protection brand with customers in over 60 countries. The Solbari range includes sun protective clothing, umbrellas, arm-sleeves, sun-hats and accessories. 

Dermatologists recommend wearing sun protective clothing as the most effective means of skin cancer prevention. All Solbari products are independently tested and rated UPF50+ by the Australian Government.