Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, 58, recently said that he had surgery for Basal Cell Carcinoma. The chef posted on Instagram about his experience, thanking the healthcare workers for their fast reactive work.
“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 ! Please don’t forget your sunscreen this weekend,” he said in the post.
He also joked "I promise you it’s not a face lift! I’d need a refund." His daughter showed support in comments and send love.
Cancer Reseach UK also shared their support in the comments under the post. "Glad to hear you're doing well, Gordon, and thanks for raising awareness of how important it is to stay safe in the sun. Seek shade, cover up, and apply sunscreen regularly and generously" they said.
What is Basal Cell Carcinoma?
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is one of the most common types of skin cancer. It develops in basal cells, a type of cell that produces new skin cells when the old dies off on the the outermost layer of the skin.
BCC often appears on the skin as transparent bumps or sores on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun like the head and the neck.
What does BCC look like?
BCC often appears as bumps with visible blood vessels. It can also appear as a flat scar like reddish patch that doesent heal. It can also look like open soes that bleeds.
Most BCC are thought to be caused by long term exposure to Ultraviolet radiation from sunlight.
How dangerous is BCC, and how can it be prevented?
BCC grows slowly, and it is the most easily curable and causes minimal damage if it is treated early. If a person is over the age of 50 they coudl be more susceptible to this type of cancer.
Using sunscreen may help protect against Basal Cell Carcinoma.
According to skincancer.org, BCCs rarely spread beyond the original tumor site. However, if it is left untreated, the lesions on the skin can grow and become locally invasive and deep into the skin and destroying skin , tissue, and bone. It is best to get treatment early if you notice the symptoms, as the longer you wait, the higher the chance that the BCC will come back.
Treatments for BCC
BCC is diagonsed after a physical exam followe by a skin biopsy.
Treatment meathods can include surgery, elctrodessication and curettage (involves scraping and cauterization) , cyrosurgery (freezing the lesion) topical treatments (creams) and photodynamic therapy (light activated medication).
