Christie Brinkley Reveals She Discovered She Had Skin Cancer During Daughter’s Dermatologist Visit
Supermodel Christie Brinkley recently revealed an unexpected health scare that serves as a crucial reminder about the importance of skin checkups. During an interview with Today hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, Christie shared how she was diagnosed with skin cancer in the most unexpected way.
Christie, who celebrated her 70th birthday in February, explained that she wasn’t even scheduled for a checkup. She was accompanying her daughter to a dermatologist appointment. While the doctor examined her daughter, Christie hesitated but eventually asked about a small spot on the side of her head.
“At the very end of the appointment, as he was putting away his little thing, I said, ‘Before you put that away, do you think you could just look at this?'” Christie recounted. The dermatologist immediately expressed concern and performed a biopsy. The results confirmed basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer.
In March, Christie shared the news on Instagram, posting photos from after her surgery. She expressed relief that the cancer was caught early and praised her doctors. “The good news for me is we caught the basal cell carcinoma early. And I had great doctors that removed the cancer and stitched me up to perfection like an haute couture Dior,” she wrote.
She also mentioned that the scar is barely noticeable thanks to her hair growing in that direction.
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer and often appears on sun-exposed areas like the head and neck. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is primarily caused by long-term exposure to UV radiation from sunlight. The Skin Cancer Foundation emphasizes the importance of using sunscreen and avoiding excessive sun exposure to prevent such cancers.
Speaking to PEOPLE, Krista M. Rubin, a nurse practitioner from the Mass General Cancer Center Melanoma Team, highlighted the dangers of repeated sunburns. “Repeated sunburns can lead to irreversible DNA damage and immune suppression. These factors can lead to the development of skin cancer,” she explained, going on to note other risks of sun exposure without protection, including premature aging, sunburns, scarring, skin discoloration, and eye damage.
As summer approaches and with Skin Cancer Awareness Month underway, Christie urges everyone to use sunblock, wear hats, and get regular skin checkups.
