Gordon Ramsay battles skin cancer

When a celebrity opens up about a health battle, it does more than make headlines; it sparks conversations we often avoid.

That’s exactly what happened when world-renowned chef and TV personality Gordon Ramsay revealed he had undergone surgery to remove a form of skin cancer.

In an Instagram post shared with his 17 million followers, the 58-year-old restaurateur posted a photo of his stitched-up scar just below his ear.

With his signature wit, Ramsay joked on Instagram: “Please don’t forget your sunscreen this weekend. I promise you it’s not a facelift, I’d need a refund!”

Behind the humour, however, was an important reminder: skin cancer is real, it’s common, and it can affect anyone, even someone as tough and high-energy as Ramsay.

Doctors removed a basal cell carcinoma (BCC) from Ramsay’s face, a type of non-melanoma skin cancer. According to the NHS, BCC is the most common form of skin cancer in the UK and typically appears on areas of skin that receive frequent sun exposure, such as the face, neck, and hands.

BCC starts in the skin’s top layer and usually develops slowly. It typically does not spread to other parts of the body, but it can grow into surrounding tissue if left untreated.

Signs to look out for include: A shiny bump or nodule on the skin, a patch that looks like a scar, a sore that doesn’t heal or keeps returning, a red, scaly area

Experts recommend three golden rules when it comes to sun protection: Avoid direct sunlight during peak hours (10am - 4pm). Wear hats, sunglasses, and lightweight clothing that covers the skin. Apply sunscreen generously and often: Use broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, and reapply every two hours or sooner if you’re swimming or sweating.