Skin cancer diagnosis FILE PHOTO: Christie Brinkley attends the Michael Kors Collection Spring/Summer 2023 Runway Show on September 14, 2022 in New York City. Brinkley announced she has been treated for skin cancer. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Michael Kors) (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Michael Kors)
By Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Christie Brinkley has shared with her fans that she has been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma.
The model and actress shared the news on Instagram, writing that “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.”
Her doctors found the cancer while she was taking her daughter for an appointment, USA Today reported.
“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 wrote on social media. “He took a look and knew immediately it needed a biopsy! … So make your own good luck by making that checkup appointment today. And slather up my friends!”
The Skin Cancer Foundation said basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer and will typically look like “open sores, red patches, pink growths, shiny bumps, scars or growths with sightly elevated, rolled edges and/or a central indentation.”
They appear on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun such as the head or neck, USA Today reported.
It starts in the basal cells which make new skin cells to replace dying cells, according to the Mayo Clinic.
You can lower your risk of developing BCC if you use sunscreen, something that Brinkley reminded her followers about.
“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,” she wrote.
Through the years American model (and later actress) Christie Brinkley poses, dressed in business attire, against a white background, 1976. She wears a neckerchief, a tweed jacket over a button-down blouse, a corduroy skirt, and boots. (Photo by Susuan Wood/Getty Images) (Susan Wood/Getty Images/Getty Images)
Through the years Boxing: WBC Welterweight Title: SI Swimsuit model Christie Brinkley photographs the fight from ringside seat during Sugar Ray Leonard vs Roberto Duran bout at Louisiana Superdome.
New Orleans, LA 11/25/1980
CREDIT: Neil Leifer (Photo by Neil Leifer /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
(Set Number: T26471 TK1 ) (Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated via Getty Ima)
Through the years Model Christie Brinkley at a Cartier party in New York (Photo by Fairchild Archive/Penske Media via Getty Images) (Fairchild Archive/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Through the years Christie Brinkley works out in a pink spandex unitard and leg warmers. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Through the years American fashion model Christie Brinkley, wearing a light grey jacket over a white t-shirt, 1982. (Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images) (Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images)
Through the years Actress Christie Brinkley and actor Chevy Chase on the set of Warner Bros. movie "National Lampoon's Vacation" in 1983. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - CIRCA 1983: Christie Brinkley and Billy Joel circa 1983 in New York City. (Photo by Sonia Moskowitz/IMAGES/Getty Images) (Images Press/Getty Images)
Through the years UNITED STATES - MAY 10: Billy Joel, who has been crooning sweet nothings in model Christie Brinkley's ear for some time, was given a surprise 34th birthday party by Christie at the Water Club. "Hey!" said Joel, "What happened to our quiet dinner?" (Photo by Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images) (New York Daily News Archive/NY Daily News via Getty Images)
Through the years Christie Brinkley (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty)
Through the years Christie Brinkley during Christie Brinkley Sighting in London - July 12, 1987 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Tom Wargacki/WireImage) (Tom Wargacki/WireImage)
Through the years Christie Brinkley, Alexa Joel and Billy Joel at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City, New York (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty)
Through the years NEW YORK - APRIL 25: (L-R) Christie Brinkley, Alexa Ray Joel and Billy Joel attend the premiere of "Last Play At Shea" during the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival at the Tribeca Performing Arts Centre on April 25, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival) (Jemal Countess)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 09: Harvey Weinstein (L) and Christie Brinkley attend the Dior and The Weinstein Company's opening of "Picturing Marilyn" at Milk Gallery on November 9, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Weinstein Company) (Neilson Barnard)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 09: (L-R) Christie Brinkley and Sailor Brinkley attend Lord & Taylor Garden City Grand Re-Opening Celebration on November 9, 2016 at Lord & Talyor in Garden City, New York. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Lord & Taylor) (Cindy Ord)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 16: Christie Brinkley attends Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2017 NYC launch event at Center415 Event Space on February 16, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated) (Nicholas Hunt)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 19: Model Christie Brinkley attends Harper's BAZAAR 150th Anniversary Event presented with Tiffany & Co at The Rainbow Room on April 19, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Harper's BAZAAR) (Andrew Toth)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - MAY 29: Model Christie Brinkley attends Bella New York magazine's beauty cover launch at La Pulperia Restaurant on May 29, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 13: Christie Brinkley hosts Bella New York's Influencer Issue Launch Party at Bagatelle on March 13, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images) (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Through the years LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 10: (L-R) Jennifer Fouche as Matron "Mama" Morton, Christie Brinkley as Roxie Hart and Lana Gordon as Velma Kelly perform in the musical "Chicago" at The Venetian Las Vegas on April 10, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 03: Christie Brinkley attends a Special Screening Of National Geographic's Oscar-Nominated Documentary "The Cave" with Film Subject Dr. Amani Ballour at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on February 03, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for National Geographic) (Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for National Geogra)
Through the years MONTAUK, NEW YORK - JULY 17: Christie Brinkley attends the Haute Living Celebration; Christie Brinkley With Wine Access at Gurney's Montauk on July 17, 2021 in Montauk, New York. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Haute Living) (Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Haute Living)
Through the years NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 30: Christie Brinkley attends the 35th Annual Footwear News Achievement Awards on November 30, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images) (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 11: Model Christie Brinkley and son Jack Paris Brinkley look on during the Men’s Singles Final match between Casper Ruud of Norway and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain on Day Fourteen of the 2022 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 11, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 14: Christie Brinkley attends the Michael Kors Collection Spring/Summer 2023 Runway Show on September 14, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Michael Kors) (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Michael Kors)
Through the years NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 18: Christie Brinkley attends the "On Our Way" world premiere at Village East Cinema on May 18, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Manny Carabel/Getty Images) (Manny Carabel/Getty Images)
Through the years MONTAUK, NEW YORK - JULY 13: Christie Brinkley attends Rufus Wainwright 50th Birthday Celebration at The Montauk Point Lighthouse on July 13, 2023 in Montauk, New York. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images) (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
Through the years PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 10: Christie Brinkley attends the American Humane Hero Dog Awards at The Breakers on November 10, 2023 in Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Mireya Acierto/Getty Images) (Mireya Acierto/Getty Images)