Actress and model Christie Brinkley disclosed her battle with skin cancer, unveiling her diagnosis and treatment.
The 70-year-old took to Instagram on Wednesday to share the news, accompanying her announcement with images documenting her journey from surgery to recovery.
“The good news for me is we caught the basal cell Carcinoma early,” Brinkley captioned her post. “And I had great Doctors that removed the cancer and stitched me up to perfection like an haute couture Dior.”
Basal cell carcinoma ranks among the two most prevalent forms of skin cancer, as highlighted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Skin Cancer Foundation reports an estimated 3.6 million cases diagnosed annually in the United States.
In her Instagram post, Brinkley expressed gratitude for the timely identification of the cancer by medical professionals.
The Sports Illustrated swimsuit model recounted how she requested a doctor to examine a mark near her eye during her daughter’s check-up.
“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 explained in the Instagram post.
“He took a look and knew immediately it needed a biopsy! He did it then and there!”
Brinkley urged her fans to prioritize regular check-ups and to diligently use SPF protection against sun exposure.
“The good news for you is that all of this can be avoided by being diligent with your sun protection,” she wrote.
“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.”
“Make your own good luck by making that check-up appointment today. And slather up my friends!” Brinkley said.
