Brave Reveal: A Face Known to Millions, Weatherman Sam Champion, 63, Has Under Eye Cancer Surgery; His Decades of Skin Cancer

“We came in to do one particular spot, and to me, it was a very small spot,” Champion added.

However, the spot could have been the tip of the iceberg. Champion’s dermatologist told the news outlet, “These skin cancers can grow like icebergs. So, sometimes we only see the tip of the iceberg, you know, on top of the skin, and then as we go down and cut through, we actually see it get wider or deeper,” Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Dr. Anthony Rossi said.

The famous weatherman shared what the past few weeks have been like for him on his Instagram page.

“Being aware of your skin and touching it everywhere is very important. Because the time to get concerned is when you notice something changing in shape, color, or texture,” Champion said.

 

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Champion has grown familiar with the signs of skin cancer. He received his first diagnosis in his mid-20s. Since then, he’s undergone numerous procedures to address suspicious moles.

“The problem is that there is no way to treat it other than to cut it out,” Champion told Best Self Atlanta Magazine.

“I’m on television every day, and that means that other people are aware of what’s going on. When I have scars and loop stitches, people notice,” Champion added.

Champion’s Skin Cancer Surgery

Champion encouraged people with skin cancer concerns to go and see their dermatologist and ask for a biopsy. He then added you may be faced with Mohs surgery, which helps treat some forms of skin cancer.

“It guarantees to leave the biggest amount of healthy tissue possible,” Champion said.

WATCH: Best surgery option for melanoma.

Mohs surgery is the most common option in areas such as the face, ears, and nose.

Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is a microscopically controlled procedure that removes skin cancer by conservatively cutting along the entire margin until the surgeon reaches clear tissue. It’s commonly used to remove other skin cancers, such as basal and squamous cell carcinomas.

During the procedure, your doctor will numb the area with anesthesia and remove the tumor using a scalpel. You’ll be asked to wait while they analyze layers of the removed sample under a microscope. The procedure is done one layer at a time, examining each layer for cancer cells before removing the next layer.

This process continues until all cancer cells are removed from the area.

Cancer removal usually leads to a cure in the early stages of the disease.

How to Spot Skin Cancer

You should check your body for unusual spots or moles at least once a month. Any new spots or changes in size or color demand your attention.

Changes to a mole you’ve had for a while or a new growth on your skin could be signs of melanoma, according to SurvivorNet’s experts. Though these marks are unlikely to be cancerous, you’ll want to keep an eye on them and inform your doctor about any changes you notice.

WATCH: When checking for melanoma, remember your ABCDEs

Melanoma is most likely to develop on sun-exposed skin, such as the face, neck, arms, and legs. Surprisingly, it might also develop in places that have never been exposed to the sun, such as the palms of your hands or soles of your feet, your eyes or mouth, or under your nails.

SurvivorNet experts describe melanoma symptoms as:

• A sore that doesn’t heal
• Color that spreads from the border of a spot to the skin around it
• Redness or swelling that goes beyond the area of a mole.
• Itchiness, tenderness, or pain
• A change in the way the surface of a mole looks.
• Scaliness, oozing, or blood

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

If you are diagnosed with skin cancer, you may have some questions for your doctor. SurvivorNet suggests some of the following to help you on your cancer journey.

• What type of skin cancer do I have?
• What treatment options exist for my type of melanoma?
• Will insurance cover this treatment?
• Would treatment through a clinical trial make sense for me?
• What resources exist to help manage my anxiety because of this diagnosis?

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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