Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke has candidly spoken about his prolonged battle with skin cancer, a fight that began way back in 2006. Over the years, doctors have removed numerous melanomas and other cancerous spots from various parts of his face and body. Most recently, he underwent another procedure to remove a lesion from his nose, underscoring the vital importance of consistent vigilance with dermatological check-ups every six months.
Sharing his experiences on ‘The Kyle and Jackie O Show’, Clarke recounted the various treatments and surgeries he has endured.
“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 August, Clarke took to Instagram to post a photo after his nose surgery, using his platform to heighten awareness about skin cancer. This wasn’t his first public revelation; in 2019, he had three non-melanoma lesions removed from his face. His Instagram caption served as a potent 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 attributes his vulnerability to skin cancer to the extensive hours spent under the scorching sun throughout his illustrious cricketing career. He painted a vivid picture: “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).”
The former Australian skipper, who notably led his nation to victory in the 2015 World Cup before retiring, enjoyed a remarkable career. He represented Australia in 115 Tests, 245 One Day Internationals, and 34 T20 Internationals, accumulating over 17,000 runs across all formats.