'Wolverine' star Hugh Jackman reveals another skin cancer scare, advises people to wear sunscreen

Wolverine star Hugh Jackman took to social media on Tuesday to reveal he is getting skin cancer biopsies following a recent medical check-up for iron deficiency. In 2013, Jackman had his first skin cancer treated and has since undergone at least six surgeries.

Taking to Instagram, the Australian actor shared a video to advise fans and followers to get tested and follow sun safety precautions, such as applying sunscreen. He further added that the biopsy test results are expected within the next few days.

"I wanted you to hear it from me, just in case, someone sees me on the street. I have just had two biopsies done," began the Logan star. "I just went to my doctor with iron deficiency. She said it could be basal cells carcinoma, which in the world of cancers is the least dangerous," he continued.

Jackman also emphasised the importance of applying sunscreens. "If I can just take this opportunity to remind you summer is coming for us in the Northern Hemisphere, please wear sunscreen-it is just not worth it, no matter how much you want a tan. Trust me, put some sunscreen on. You'll still have an incredible time out there. Please be safe," he urged.

In 2015, Jackman talked about his first diagnosis of cancer in an interview with People. He shared that the diagnosis had come as a surprise. "It's always a bit of a shock, just hearing the word ‘cancer’," he said. "Being an Australian it's a very common thing. I never wore sunscreen growing up, so I was a prime candidate for it," he added.

"But the beauty of this is it's all preventable, it's just about getting proper check-ups. I can be typical man, a little lazy, I couldn't be bothered, but now I'm not lazy at all," he concluded.

According to MayoClinic.org, basal cell carcinoma is a kind of skin cancer that most commonly occurs on sun-exposed parts of the skin. "Basal cell carcinoma is a common skin cancer which is seen on the face and neck due to long-term UV damage. Not very common in skin of colour, it usually affects Caucasian skin," detailed Dr Vandana Punjabi to The Indian Express.

"In brown skin, this looks like a skin-coloured or black growth which often patients ignore taking it to be a mole. However, it continues to grow in size, develops blood vessels and can start bleeding on touch or friction," she continued.

Punjabi also shared that cancer can be treated with surgery and cryotherapy. "The earlier the diagnosis, the better the treatment chances or cancer tends to spread on the surrounding skin and into deeper tissues," she said, adding that smaller ones "can be treated with prescription creams".

The Skin Cancer Foundation has deduced that with frequent use of sunscreen, one can lessen the risk of skin cancers to a great extent. "Using a sunblock of a minimum of SPF 15 can radically lessen the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) — the second most common form of skin cancer — by a massive 40%, and also lower melanoma, another form of skin cancer, and its risk by 50%," revealed Dr Somdutta Singh, Founder of Assiduus Global in a conversation with the aforementioned publication. "You can also opt for tinted sunscreens if planning to step out," she later advised people.

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