Hugh Jackman's important plea to all Aussies
Hugh Jackman has shared an important message for his fans.
The Wolverine star posted a video on Wednesday, April 14, to his Instagram encouraging followers to see their doctors for regular skin checks.
“OK guys, I recommend getting a skin check,” Jackman started the video saying. “Regularly.”
“I know I’ve said it before, I know I may be boring you with this but it’s super easy to do and it’s really, really, important to be preemptive with these things.”
Jackman said that Aussies are particularly at risk to sunspots and skin cancers, especially if they were not as vigilant about sun protection in their younger years.
“So, if you’re like me and you didn’t really know any better when you were young, and you didn’t wear sunscreen, and you were in the Australian sun, then you need to get a check-up even more.”
“But if not, doesn’t matter who you are. Next time you are with your doctor or with a specialist if you can, if you are with your doctor just say ‘can you please give me a skin check?’ At least once a year,” he continues.
Jackman then showed his ear to the camera, which he explained had been taped up with a medical bandage following his most recent check-up.
“I just had mine done, I just had a little biopsy, it’s pre-cancerous, it’s not much, but I’m really really glad I went,” he said.
The actor has used social media to document his treatment for skin cancer, which he has had more than six times but has never had any major scares.
The Aussie star updated fans on his battle with skin cancer on Live! With Kelly in 2017, with assurances that he’s fine.
“It is skin cancer but the least dangerous form of it,” he said at the time. “So it’s just something I have to get out after being an Aussie with English parents, growing up in Australia, it’s sort of the new normal for me.”
He also spoke on the risks of prolonged and unprotected exposure to the sun, saying, “So here’s the thing: One sunburn, you’re susceptible to cancer.”
“One. And all of this is 25, 30 years after the doctor told me. Our rule, as kids growing up, was you get burned and peel two or three times, then you’re set.”
Jackman concluded his recent Instagram video by pleading with fans to “wear sunscreen”.