Michael Clarke, who is the former captain of the Australian cricket team has come out to talk about his constant fight with skin cancer and has confessed to undergoing numerous procedures to get all the malignant spots off his face and that he continues to visit a dermatologist every six months to have the same done.
Clarke is a player who had skin cancer taken out first in 2006, when he played in Australia, and since that time had made it a habit to check in with his doctor. Clarke has come to terms with the condition that he will be watching the rest of his life after years of living with it.
In 2023, Michael Clarke became part of the Australian Skin Cancer Foundation to raise awareness about the importance of early detection and regular skin checks, and he will leverage his influence to encourage people to take sun protection and skin health seriously.
“I’ve got a number of cut outs on my face. I had one about four weeks ago off my nose. I see my dermatologist every six months. The sunspots get frozen. Normally, if they’re basal cells I get them cut out. I think I’ve had seven cuts cut out of my face. You can’t hide them,” Clarke said on ‘The Kyle and Jackie O’ show.
Michael Clarke Opens Up on Skin Cancer Battle, Urges Regular Check-Ups and Sun Safety
In August, Clarke posted the reminder on social media and reminded people to get check-ups regularly and use sunscreen. The initial skin cancer alarm that Clarke had was in 2006 where doctors observed some suspicious spots on his face. He had an operation immediately to have the spots taken out of his face and chest and over the years that followed, he had to undergo another operation to have malignant masses removed off his chest and forehead.
Clarke has always indicated that he was exposed to the sun so much during his career as a cricketer and that this increased his vulnerability to the disease. In 2019, Clarke also revealed that he had removed one more skin cancer on his forehead, as he had been diagnosed with three non-melanoma lesions in 2006. He has gone to an extent of posting a photo of himself with stitches on his forehead after that came a passionate message urging the youth to take care of their skin and to have frequent check-ups.
Clarke was among the most successful captains of Australia and under his lead his team won the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup and he retired in the international cricket. During his glorious career, he played in 115 Tests, 245 ODs, and 34 T20s and amassed more than 17,000 runs in all formats.
