Christie Brinkley, 70, shares her skin cancer diagnosis: Supermodel undergoes surgery for ‘tiny dot’ on her face, shares photos of removal.

Christie Brinkley has been diagnosed with skin cancer.

The supermodel, 70, revealed she underwent surgery after doctors found a ‘basal cell carcinoma’ on her face in a harrowing Instagram post on Wednesday.

She also shared graphic photos of the wound on her face after the cancer was removed – as she urged fans to check their bodies regularly for any abnormalities.

She wrote: ‘The good news for me is we caught the basal cell Carcinoma early. And I had great Doctors that removed the cancer and stitched me up to perfection like an haute couture Dior.

‘The good news for you is that all of this can be avoided by being diligent with your sun protection! 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. 

Christie Brinkley has been diagnosed with skin cancer aged 70

The supermodel, 70, revealed she underwent surgery after doctors found a ‘basal cell carcinoma’ on her face in a harrowing Instagram post on Wednesday

The star revealed she was diagnosed with cancer after accompanying one of her daughters to a routine check-up – where she asked a doctor to examine  a ‘tiny dot’ on her face.

She wrote: ‘And doing regular total body check ups.. that is a MUST ! I was lucky to find mine, because I was accompanying one of my daughters to HER check up .. 

‘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 at the VERY end I asked if he could just look at a little tiny dot I could feel as I applied my foundation . 

‘He took a look and knew immediately it needed a biopsy! He did it then and there! So make your own good luck by making that check up appointment today. And slather up my friends!

‘Thank you to Dr. Abraham, Dr. Anolik, Dr Geronemus, Dr Lloyd Hoffman at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York.’

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a type of non-melanoma skin cancer.

Non-melanoma means it does not involve skin pigment cells. BCC often appears as scabs that bleed

BCC makes up more than 80 per cent of all forms of skin cancer in the UK and US.

About 5.4 million basal and squamous cell skin cancers are diagnosed each year in the US and around 100,000 in the UK.

It is mainly caused by overexposure to UV light from the sun or tanning beds.

BCC can occur anywhere on the body but is most common on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck and ears.

She also shared graphic photos of the wound on her face after the cancer was removed – as she urged fans to check their bodies regularly for any abnormalities

WHAT IS BASAL CELL CARCINOMA?

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a type of non-melanoma skin cancer.

Non-melanoma means it does not involve skin pigment cells.  

BCC often appears as scabs that bleed

BCC makes up more than 80 per cent of all forms of skin cancer in the UK and US.

About 5.4 million basal and squamous cell skin cancers are diagnosed each year in the US and around 100,000 in the UK.

It is mainly caused by overexposure to UV light from the sun or tanning beds. 

BCC can occur anywhere on the body but is most common on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck and ears.

The following people are most at risk:

• People with fair skin or hair
• Those who work outdoors
• People who use sunbeds
• Those with a personal history of the condition

BCC is usually painless. Early symptoms often only include a scab that bleeds occasionally and does not heal.

Some appear as flat, red, scaly marks or have a pearl-like rim. The latter can then erode into a ulcer.

Others are lumpy with shiny nodules crossed by blood vessels.

Most BCCs can be cured, however, treatment is complex if they are left for a long time. 

Treatment usually involves removing the cancerous tumour and some of the surrounding skin.

Source: British Skin Foundation and NHS Choices