Gordon Ramsay Reveals Skin Cancer Diagnosis, Urges Sun Protection
World-renowned chef and television personality Gordon Ramsay, 58, recently shared with his 17 million Instagram followers that he underwent surgery to remove a basal cell carcinoma (BCC), a common form of skin cancer. The restaurateur posted a photo of the scar below his ear, accompanied by a characteristic joke: “Please don’t forget your sunscreen this weekend. I promise you itS not a facelift, I’d need a refund!”
While delivered with humor, Ramsay’s post carries a serious message about the prevalence and potential impact of skin cancer. BCC is the most common type of skin cancer in the UK, according to the National Health Service (NHS), and typically develops on areas frequently exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck, and hands.
This non-melanoma skin cancer originates in the skin’s top layer and generally grows slowly. While it rarely spreads to other parts of the body,untreated BCC can grow into surrounding tissues. Individuals should be vigilant for signs including shiny bumps or nodules, scar-like patches, sores that don’t heal, or persistently returning sores, and red, scaly areas on the skin.
Health experts emphasize three key preventative measures: avoiding direct sunlight between 10am and 4pm, wearing protective clothing like hats and sunglasses, and consistently applying broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, reapplying every two hours – or more frequently when swimming or sweating. Ramsay’s public disclosure serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of sun safety for everyone.
