ABC weatherman Sam Champion reveals skin cancer diagnosis on live TV as he appears with scar under eye
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In a surprising turn of events, ABC weatherman Sam Champion revealed his cancer diagnosis live during a recent segment.
Speaking on 'Good Morning America,' Champion discussed the treatment he sought for an unusual mark on his face, which was identified as nodular basal cell carcinoma.
Sam Champion opens up about skin cancer diagnosis and the importance of vigilance
According to the NewYork post, “We started talking about it, and so many people were interested in it, we thought we’d continue the conversation,” Champion shared with hosts Michael Strahan and the rest of the 'GMA' team.
He emphasized the importance of vigilance regarding skin health, saying, “I hope that one day no one has to go through surgery to get rid of skin cancer, but, right now, we have to keep our eye on our skin, our hands on our skin, be very vigilant and notice any unusual spots, and if those spots start to change, immediately get care.”
"I hope that one day no one has to go through surgery to get rid of skin cancer."
— Good Morning America (@GMA) October 18, 2024
Our very own @samchampion reveals he recently underwent surgery for skin cancer treatment and shares important lessons he learned along the way. pic.twitter.com/5hOCZr2T1U
The show aired footage of Champion’s surgery, highlighting the seriousness of his condition. Champion, who married his husband, Brazilian artist Rubem Robierb, in 2012, expressed gratitude to fans for their support after disclosing his diagnosis. He recalled being diagnosed with skin issues in his 20s due to excessive sun exposure.
“When I’m not bringing you the weather, I love nothing more than being outside, but these days I wouldn’t think about going outside without sunscreen. It wasn’t always the case,” he noted.
Champion reflected on his past experiences with “blistering sunburns” while reporting outdoors and shared that he had the cancer removed at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City earlier this month.
Sam Champion shares surgery journey and urges skin health awareness
On social media, he detailed his surgery journey, stating that he underwent three rounds of procedures. In a candid video posted on X (formerly Twitter), he expressed his reluctance about the outcome, saying, “I didn’t want all that. I didn’t want a big gaping hole, and now, I’m going to have a big gaping hole.” Champion acknowledged that he would not enjoy having a larger scar than anticipated but accepted it as part of his journey.
After sharing an image of his scar post-surgery, he urged others to prioritize their skin health, saying, “Watch your skin and ask your doctor to examine anything that doesn’t seem right to you!” On 'Good Morning America', he added, “The next phase of my journey will be scar care, and trust me, there is a lot of advancement in that as well.”
Champion concluded with a powerful reminder: “No matter how old you are — my first one was at 26 — no matter what your skin tone, your skin type, your skin color, they’re cutting skin cancer off of everybody. So, it’s everybody’s issue.”
Supportive messages flood in as viewers thank Sam Champion for sharing skin cancer journey
Viewers responded warmly to Sam Champion's candid revelation about his skin cancer diagnosis.
One user added, "Thank you for sharing such an important message. A spot that looks harmless can be deceiving deadly. Your message will save lives."
Another user commented, "Sam,thank you for sharing! I too had a Mohs surgery on my face for skin cancer..It was a wake up call for sure! After spending years sunbathing,I now stay out of the sun,wear sunscreen even on a car ride,always cover up! Hope people read your post&stay safe! God Bless you on your healing journey."
One replied, "Great piece on caring for your largest organ of your body, your skin. Been in the Dermatology field for 26 yrs...Mohs is an amazing skin cancer procedure. Thank you for sharing your journey!"
One said, "Thank you for sharing your recent journey! I just went through the same situation.Melanoma on my leg and basal cell skin cancer on my scalp. Had to have 4 surgeries to remove it all. It was rough and a long recovery. Almost 2 months. But I am now cancer free. I pray they were able to get all of it out. No more tanning for me! Wish you all the best. Was good to see you back this morning!"
Another one said, "Hoping you heal well!"
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