Well known for his roles as Wolverine in the Marvel Comics Universe, Australian actor Hugh Jackman has had a long history of skin cancer scares on his nose. 

Most recently, in 2023  Hugh Jackman has revealed he is undergoing more skin cancer tests after a recent medical check-up.

Sporting a bandage on his nose, the Wolverine actor took to social media to urge followers to get checked and follow sun safety advice.The 54-year-old star said he expects test results within the next few days.  

Jackman had his first skin cancer removed in 2013, and has since had at least six procedures.In his video post, Jackman said his doctor had noticed "little things which could be, or could not be basal cell [carcinomas]". Basal cell carcinoma is a non-melanoma - which means it is much less likely to spread - and is caused by overexposure to the sun or sunbeds.

  Treatment for non-melanoma skin cancers are successful in 90% of cases, according to the NHS. Jackman reassured fans that basal cell carcinomas are the "least dangerous" in the world of skin cancer, but said he hoped his scare reminds people to be sun-safe."Please wear sunscreen, it is just not worth it, no matter how much you want a tan. Trust me!" he said.

In 2017, Hugh Jackman has had his sixth skin cancer removed from his face.

The Wolverine actor, 48, took to social media to share with his fans the aftermath of having "another basal cell carcinoma" cut from his nose.

Hugh Jackman's skin cancer message

Wolverine star Hugh Jackman has taken to social media to encourage sunscreen use after having his fifth skin cancer removed.

The father-of-two added: "Thanks to frequent body checks and amazing doctors, all is well. Looks worse with the dressing on than off. I swear!

Signing off, he wrote in all caps: "Wear sunscreen."

It is the sixth skin cancer Jackman, who is married to fellow Australian actor Deborra-Lee Furness, has had in recent years.

He first discovered he had cancerous cells in November 2013 after his wife of 21 years suggested he get a mole on his nose looked at.

"Deb said to get the mark on my nose checked. Boy, was she right! I had a Basal Cell Carcinoma."

This time last year, he had another basal cell carcinoma, which account for about 70 per cent of non-melanoma skin cancers, removed from his nose.

In a bid to bring awareness to skin cancer, he wrote: "An example of what happens when you don't use sunscreen."

 

In 2015, Jackman told People magazine his diagnoses had come as a surprise despite his upbringing.

"It's always a bit of a shock just hearing the word 'cancer'," he said.

"Being an Australian it's a very common thing. I never wore sunscreen growing up so I was a prime candidate for it."

Hugh Jackman Treated for Skin Cancer in 2013

 

The Wolverine star posted a photo on Instagram, explaining to fans that he recently had skin cancer removed from his nose.

No stranger to gushing about his wife, Jackman revealed it was Deborra-Lee Furness who encouraged him to get the “mark” checked.

“Boy, was she right! I had [basal] cell carcinoma,” Jackman, 45, writes. “Please don’t be foolish like me. Get yourself checked. And USE sunscreen!!!”  - People

Skin cancer facts and resources

There are three types of skin cancers, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, which are known as non-melanoma skin cancer, and melanoma, which is the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, an estimated 2.8 million cases of basal cell carcinoma are diagnosed in the United States each year, and it is the most frequently occurring form of all cancers.

According to the Cancer Council, two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they are 70, while close to half a million are treated each year. Non-melanoma skin cancer is more common in men, with almost double the incidence compared to women.

Australians and especially outdoor workers should get regular skin cancer screenings and consider photographing their moles. There are also services like Molemap that can do this for you.