Topics: Cancer, Celebrity, Health, Hugh Jackman, News, World News, Podcast
Hugh Jackman has opened up about a serious health condition that he has struggled with over the years.
The star, known for his performance as Wolverine in many X-Men movies, candidly shared that he has had the health condition on several occasions.
Jackman spoke to the Howard Stern Show, and urged others to keep an eye out for the signs and symptoms of the condition and to protect themselves from it.
The condition that Jackman revealed he has had is skin cancer, with the harsh Australian sun seeing him have the condition on some six different occasions.
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Fortunately on each occasion, it was a relatively less serious type of the cancer, but Jackman nonetheless urged people to be aware of the dangers that it can pose, particularly if you live somewhere hot.
"I've had like six skin cancers," he said. "There's three types. Melanoma, the worst. Squamous cell, not great. I've only had basal cell."
Jackman explained that, while this type is relatively safe, there is still the possibility that it can spread.
"No one has ever died in the history of the planet, but it's a cancer and it grows," he said. "And if you don't take it out, it'll get into your bones and then you've got to take the bone out."
The star warned that getting sunburned really badly is no laughing matter, as even one bad burn can be enough.
"All skin cancer, all of it happens 25 years before the cancer comes," he said.
"And [the doctor] said it could be one time where you got burned really badly. Just one.
"Obviously, growing up in Australia, I always had a high risk. But everyone should get a check. It's the most preventable cancer, I think, that is around."
Despite getting skin cancer, Jackman admitted that he had still tried to get a tan, which he said he can't believe now.
He said: "Even after the first [skin cancer] I had, I was like, 'Ah, but it'd still be good to get a tan when I go away.' I'm like, what was I thinking? You're an idiot…Be the pasty skin guy. Who cares?"
Jackman had also opened up about his condition to PEOPLE, saying: "Being an Australian, it's a very common thing. I never wore sunscreen growing up, so I was a prime candidate for it."
Now, Jackman goes for checkups every three months.
