This makes us very sad. And it also reminds us that the Aussie sun is not to be messed with. In fact, neither is the Irish sun for that matter. I was talking to a girl from Chicago over the summer and she said she only ever burns when she's in Ireland. True story.
The Wolverine star posted a photograph of his bandaged nose on Instagram (we decided to go for a photo of him emerging from the sea, topless), explaining to fans that he recently had skin cancer removed from his face.
The 45-year-old revealed it was his wife Deborra-Lee Furness who encouraged him to get the 'mark' on his nose checked. He wrote:
"Boy, was she right! I had basil cell carcinoma. Please don't be foolish like me. Get yourself checked. And USE sunscreen!!!"
Fans were quite to wish the star a quick recovery, with one posting: "I have had two melanomas removed and had to get lymph nodes checked to make sure it didn't spread. Scary stuff!! Healing thoughts for you!" Another supportive fan wrote: "Thank God you caught it early."
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, an estimated 2.8 million cases of basil cell carcinoma are diagnosed over in the US each year, and it is the most frequently occurring form of all cancers. I think you'll find that, despite our usual inclement weather, we have a very high level of skin cancer in this country too, my sister being among them. That's because we all go mental whenever it comes out, in a "BURN ME, BURN ME TO THE CORE, I'M SO VERY COLD FOR 11 MONTHS OF THE YEAR!" kinda way.
If you are adverse to suns screen for some entirely irresponsible reason, further treatment options include removing the tumour, radiation and topical medicine, among others.
