Sam Champion Dominik Bindl/Getty Images
Good Morning America meteorologist Sam Champion is telling viewers about his recent battle with skin cancer — as well as showing his surgery scar on air.
Champion, 63, underwent surgery to remove his basal cell carcinoma. An extremely common type of cancer, it affects over 2 million people every year, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
The meteorologist and broadcaster was diagnosed after noticing a small spot below his eye. While the blemish seemed small, it required the surgical procedure – known as Mohs surgery – to remove.
While on air this past Friday, October 18, Champion opened up to Good Morning America fans about his journey, and added a warning about the importance of proper skin care, particularly protection against the sun and the harmful UV rays that it emits.
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“There have been so many advancements in sun protection, sunscreen and laser treatments for precancerous areas, so I hope, one day, no one has to go through surgery to get rid of skin cancer,” he said on the popular morning show.
He spoke about the need to reach out to a doctor, if noticing anything that seems off with the skin.
“Right now, we have to keep our eye on our skin, our hands on our skin, be very vigilant and notice any unusual spots, and if those spots start to change, immediately get care.”
He also made it a point to say that proper skin protection is for everybody.
“No matter how old you are … no matter what your skin tone, your skin type, your skin color, they’re cutting skin cancer off everybody, so it’s everybody’s issue,” he said.
Over the past few weeks, Champion had been open with his followers on Instagram — taking people through his skin cancer journey in real time, sharing photos and answering questions about the diagnosis and the surgery. He also explained that this was not his first time dealing with the condition.
Back in 2010, Champion publically got treatment for his skin cancer on live television, as a part of a segment on Good Morning America.
During the televised surgery, the famous meteorologist also got Mohs, this time to treat a spot on his left shoulder.
Fourteen years later, Champion is just as vocal about his skin care journey.
“When I’m not bringing you the weather I love nothing more than being outside, but these days I wouldn’t think about going outside without sunscreen,” he said.
Champion also demonstrated to viewers the right amount of sunscreen to use, and how to properly use it. Plus he offered one more important sunscreen tip: Reapply.
