Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke has candidly shared details of his enduring battle with skin cancer, a journey that began way back in 2006. Over the years, he’s had numerous melanomas and other cancerous lesions removed from various parts of his body, including his face.
Most recently, Clarke underwent another procedure to remove a lesion from his nose. This ongoing experience underscores his commitment to regular dermatological check-ups, which he maintains every six months.
During an appearance on The Kyle and Jackie O Show, Clarke openly discussed the various treatments and surgeries he’s faced. “I had one about four weeks ago off my nose, and I see my dermatologist every six months. The sunspots, I get frozen. Normally, if they’re basal cells, I get them cut out… I think I’ve had seven cut out of my face,” he revealed.
In a bid to raise vital awareness about skin cancer, Clarke shared a post on Instagram in August after his most recent nose surgery. This followed previous procedures in 2019, where he had three non-melanoma lesions removed from his face. His Instagram caption served as a powerful reminder: “Skin cancer is real! Especially in Australia. Another one cut out of my nose today. A friendly reminder to get your skin checked. Prevention is better than cure, but in my case, regular check-ups and early detection is key. So grateful that @drbishsoliman_ got it early.”
Clarke directly attributes his heightened susceptibility to skin cancer to the extensive sun exposure he experienced throughout his illustrious cricketing career. “Imagine fielding all day in India, out there for eight hours in the sun, a lot of the guys are wearing the baggy green cap so you are not protecting your ears or your face. You’ve got short-sleeved shirts, so your arms and the tops of your hands (are exposed),” he explained, highlighting the relentless conditions faced by cricketers.
A celebrated figure in Australian cricket, Clarke led his country to a triumphant World Cup victory in 2015 before retiring. His remarkable career spanned 115 Tests, 245 One Day Internationals, and 34 T20 Internationals, accumulating over 17,000 runs across all formats.