World-renowned chef and popular television personality Gordon Ramsay turned to Instagram recently to share an important life update. He was diagnosed with a form of skin cancer. Ramsay shared that a team of doctors recently removed basal cell carcinoma from the side of his face and neck.
“Grateful and so appreciative for the incredible team at The Skin Associates and their fast reactive work on removing this Basal Cell Carcinoma thank you,” he began his caption.
Ramsay shared a photo of a bandage covering the section of skin that doctors removed. He also shared a second image of a line of stitches stretching from the bottom of his ear down toward his neck.
The celebrity chef used this experience to warn others about the importance of protecting their skin, urging them to wear sunscreen ahead of the holiday weekend.
“Please don’t forget your sunscreen this weekend ❤️I promise you it’s not a face lift! I’d need a refund…….😜,” he joked.
While basal cell carcinoma can develop in many different areas across the body, it is typically most common in areas that are often exposed to sunlight. In Ramsay’s case, this was his face and neck. It occurs within the basal cells, which are responsible for replacing dead cells. This is the most common form of skin cancer, and it can look different from person to person. For example, sometimes it may appear as a splotchy patch of skin or as a brown bump.
Catching basal cell carcinoma while it is still in its early stages is crucial. This is why it is recommended that if you have a spot on your skin that you’re concerned about, you reach out to your doctor right away instead of hoping it will just go away on its own.
Holly Ramsay, one of the chef’s eldest children, showed support for her dad in the comment section of his post.
“Love you dad ❤️,” she wrote.
