Christie Brinkley announced Tuesday that she has been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer.
The 70-year-old model shared the unfortunate news in a very raw and candid Instagram post, including a photo of herself wearing two large bandages on the corner of her forehead.
Additional snapshots depicted the excision and posterior stitches.
“The good news for me is that we detected basal cell carcinoma early. And I had great doctors who removed the cancer and stitched me up perfectly like a couture Dior,” Brinkley wrote, as you can see above.
For the record…
The Cleveland Clinic describes basal cell carcinoma as a “type of skin cancer that causes a lump, swelling, or lesion to form on the outer layer of the skin.”
Fortunately, it is “the most common form of skin cancer and the most common form of all cancers,” according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Brinkley used her social media announcement to remind her fans and followers about the importance of sun protection.
“I got serious a little late, so now for this old mermaid/gardener, I’ll be applying my SPF 30, reapplying as needed, wearing long sleeves and a wide-brimmed hat,” Brinkley wrote.
From there, the veteran model and celebrity reminded everyone to get regular health checkups.
“I was lucky to find mine because I was accompanying one of my daughters to HER checkup,” Brinkley wrote.
“The doctor was looking at each freckle with a magnifying glass… it wasn’t my appointment, so I wasn’t going to say anything, but in the end I asked if he could just look at a little spot that I could feel while I applied my foundation.
“He took one look and immediately knew he needed a biopsy!
“He did it right there!”
Brinkley ended her post by thanking doctors and emphasizing the same advice.
“Make your own good luck by making that check-up appointment today. And spread the word my friends,” she wrote.
Elsewhere, in somewhat related news, Olivia Munn revealed this week she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
We wish both women the best of luck on their journeys and are praying for a full recovery in all aspects.