Gordon Ramsay shares skin cancer battle raises awareness for sun safety

WHEN a celebrity opens up about a health battle, it does more than make headlines; it sparks conversations we often avoid.

- VUYILE MADWANTSI

That's exactly what happened when world-renowned chef and TV personality Gordon Ramsay revealed he had undergone surgery to remove a form of skin cancer. In an Instagram post shared with his 17 million followers, the 58-year-old restaurateur posted a photo of his stitched-up scar just below his ear.

With his signature wit, Ramsay joked on Instagram, “Please don’t forget your sunscreen this weekend. I promise you it’s nota facelift, Id need a refund!”

Behind the humour, however, was an important reminder: skin cancer is real, it's common, and it can affect anyone.

Doctors removed a basal cell carcinoma (BCC) from Ramsay’s face, a type of non-melanoma skin cancer. According to the NHS, BCC is the most common form of skin cancer in the UK and typically appears on areas of skin that receive frequent sun exposure, such as the face, neck, and hands.

Basal and squamous cell skin cancer risk factors

Having light-coloured skin: Anyone can get skin cancer, but people with light-colored skin have a much higher risk than people with naturally darker skin colour.

This is because the skin pigment melanin has a protective effect in people with darker skin. Individuals with fair (light-coloured) skin that freckles or burns easily, blue or green eyes, and naturally red or blonde hair are at an especially high risk.