Model and actress Christie Brinkley received a diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer, while accompanying one of her daughters to a checkup, she revealed on Wednesday.
During her daughter's appointment, Brinkley took the opportunity to ask the doctor to examine a small dot she had noticed while applying foundation.
"It wasn't my appointment so I wasn't going to say anything but at the VERY end I asked if he could just look at a little tiny dot I could feel as I applied my foundation," Brinkley shared in a post on Instagram. "He took a look and knew immediately it needed a biopsy!"
The doctor confirmed that she had basal cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer that millions of people are diagnosed with each year, as stated by the American Academy of Dermatology. Early detection and treatment usually lead to successful removal of almost all basal cell carcinomas without complications, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Brinkley expressed gratitude that her case was caught early. "And I had great doctors that removed the cancer and stitched me up to perfection like an haute couture Dior," she added.
Brinkley, a well-known advocate for sun protection, recently shared her skincare routine with her followers. She emphasized the importance of applying SPF 30, wearing long sleeves, and hats with wide brims to protect against harmful UV rays. Regular total body checks were also highlighted as a crucial step in early detection of skin cancer.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most skin cancer cases are a result of overexposure to UV rays from the sun, tanning beds, or sunlamps. The agency recommends staying in the shade, covering up when outside, and using sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, especially when the UV index is 3 or higher. Local UV index information can be found on the Environmental Protection Agency website.
In her message, Brinkley urged her followers to schedule a check-up appointment for a skin examination and emphasized the importance of proper sun protection. "So make your own good luck by making that check-up appointment today," Brinkley wrote. "And slather up my friends!"
