Christie Brinkley Discovered Skin Cancer Diagnosis at Daughter’s Dermatologist Appointment

Christie Brinkley attends the 35th Annual Footwear News Achievement Awards in New York City on Nov. 30, 2021. Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Christie Brinkley is bringing awareness to one of the most common types of skin cancers following her recent diagnosis.

Since her first interview, the supermodel opened up about being diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma after accompanying her daughter to a dermatologist appointment.

The 70-year-old said she wasn’t even scheduled for a check-up but decided to speak up about her concerns following her daughter’s examination.

“The Doctor was looking at each freckle with a magnifying glass… it wasn’t my appointment so I wasn’t going to say anything but at the VERY end I asked if he could just look at a little tiny dot I could feel as I applied my foundation,” she recalled via social media.

The doctor immediately ordered a biopsy on the upper left side of her face, confirming the cancer. Ms. Brinkley underwent surgery, and the doctors were quick to remove any remnants.

“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 captioned along with photos following her surgery.

Ms. Brinkley applauded the work of New York’s Laser & Skin Surgery Center and shared that, luckily for her, the scar is barely noticeable as her hair grows in that direction.

The three-time Sports Illustrated cover model hopes her experience will encourage others to take sun protection seriously, make their own appointments, and get checked out.

“The good news for you is that all of this can be avoided by being diligent with your sun protection! I got serious a bit late so now for this ole mermaid/gardener, I’ll be slathering on my SPF 30, reapplying as needed, wearing long sleeves and a wide brim hat. And doing regular total body check ups..that is a MUST!”

Basal Cell Carcinoma

May is skin cancer awareness month, the beginning of the unofficial start of summer, and with that comes longer sun exposure.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) “is the most common form of skin cancer and the most frequently occurring form of all cancers.”

It ​is a type of skin cancer that begins in basal cells, found in the outer layer of the skin, and typically develops in parts of the skin that are often exposed to sunlight, especially the face.

BCCs develop from abnormal, uncontrolled basal cells. They tend to grow slowly and do not often spread to other parts of the body. Due to its slower growth, most are curable and cause minimal damage when caught and treated early.

An estimated 3.6 million cases are diagnosed annually in the United States alone. Warning signs include new, changing, or unusual skin growths. BCCs can look like shiny bumps that may be translucent at the surface.

With early detection and treatment, almost all BCCs can be successfully removed without complications. Several effective treatments are available, such as topical medications or surgery, which can usually be performed on an outpatient basis. Most wounds heal naturally and leave minimal scarring.

The Mayo Clinic advises everyone to avoid the sun, long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation, and use sunscreen, which may best help protect against BCC.