Christie Brinkley diagnosed with skin cancer: Supermodel, 70, reveals she underwent surgery after noticing 'tiny dot' on her face - as she shares graphic snaps of removal

Christie Brinkley has been diagnosed with skin cancer.

The supermodel, 70, revealed she underwent surgery after doctors found a 'basal cell carcinoma' on her face in a harrowing Instagram post on Wednesday.

She also shared graphic photos of the wound after the cancer was removed - as she urged fans to check their bodies regularly for any abnormalities.

She wrote: 'The good news for me is we caught the basal cell Carcinoma early. And I had great Doctors that removed the cancer and stitched me up to perfection like an haute couture Dior.

'The good news for you is that all of this can be avoided by being diligent with your sun protection! 

'I got serious a bit late so now for this ole mermaid/gardener, I’ll be slathering on my SPF 30, reapplying as needed, wearing long sleeves and a wide brim hat.'

Christie Brinkley has been diagnosed with skin cancer aged 70

The supermodel, 70, revealed she underwent surgery after doctors found a 'basal cell carcinoma' on her face in a harrowing Instagram post on Wednesday

The star (pictured in 2023) wrote: 'The good news for me is we caught the basal cell Carcinoma early. And I had great Doctors that removed the cancer.., the good news for you is that all of this can be avoided by being diligent with your sun protection!'

The star revealed she was diagnosed with cancer after accompanying one of her daughters to a routine check-up - where she asked a doctor to examine  a 'tiny dot' on her face.

She wrote: 'And doing regular total body check ups.. that is a MUST ! I was lucky to find mine, because I was accompanying one of my daughters to HER check up .. 

'The Doctor was looking at each freckle with a magnifying glass… it wasn’t my appointment so I wasn’t going to say anything but at the VERY end I asked if he could just look at a little tiny dot I could feel as I applied my foundation . 

'He took a look and knew immediately it needed a biopsy! He did it then and there! So make your own good luck by making that check up appointment today. And slather up my friends!

'Thank you to Dr. Abraham, Dr. Anolik, Dr Geronemus, Dr Lloyd Hoffman at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York.'

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a type of non-melanoma skin cancer.

Non-melanoma means it does not involve skin pigment cells. BCC often appears as scabs that bleed

BCC makes up more than 80 per cent of all forms of skin cancer in the UK and US.

She also shared graphic photos of the wound on her face after the cancer was removed - as she urged fans to check their bodies regularly for any abnormalities

Brinkley turned 70 last month and said using sunblock keep her looking young

She said: 'I’ll be slathering on my SPF 30, reapplying as needed, wearing long sleeves and a wide brim hat'

The star is pictured on her birthday with her three children Alexa Ray Joel, 38, Jack Brinkley Cook, 28 and Sailor Brinkley Cook, 25

The star is pictured in a Sports Illustrated beach shoot in 1979

WHAT IS BASAL CELL CARCINOMA?

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a type of non-melanoma skin cancer.

Non-melanoma means it does not involve skin pigment cells.  

BCC often appears as scabs that bleed

BCC makes up more than 80 per cent of all forms of skin cancer in the UK and US.

About 5.4 million basal and squamous cell skin cancers are diagnosed each year in the US and around 100,000 in the UK.

It is mainly caused by overexposure to UV light from the sun or tanning beds. 

BCC can occur anywhere on the body but is most common on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck and ears.

The following people are most at risk:

• People with fair skin or hair
• Those who work outdoors
• People who use sunbeds
• Those with a personal history of the condition

BCC is usually painless. Early symptoms often only include a scab that bleeds occasionally and does not heal.

Some appear as flat, red, scaly marks or have a pearl-like rim. The latter can then erode into a ulcer.

Others are lumpy with shiny nodules crossed by blood vessels.

Most BCCs can be cured, however, treatment is complex if they are left for a long time. 

Treatment usually involves removing the cancerous tumour and some of the surrounding skin.

Source: British Skin Foundation and NHS Choices 

About 5.4 million basal and squamous cell skin cancers are diagnosed each year in the US and around 100,000 in the UK.

It is mainly caused by overexposure to UV light from the sun or tanning beds.

BCC can occur anywhere on the body but is most common on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck and ears.

Last month the star marked her 70th birthday with a post that read: 'This is 70, and you’ve nothing to fear, Because you can make it your own very favorite year!' wrote the SI model in her caption.

'It’s up to you, it’s in your power. To choose to celebrate, instead of cower. You know what to do, Exercise and eat right, use your sunblock and don’t sit under overhead lights!

'Be curious, explore and go on adventures, just don’t forget to pack your dentures. Seriously, laugh and love with all your might …and I promise you 70 will be all right.'

Brinkley has three kids with three different men: Alexa Ray Joel, 38, with Billy Joel, Jack Paris Brinkley Cook, 28, with Richard Taubman and Sailor Brinkley Cook, 25, with Peter Cook. 

Last summer the Vogue model said she will still be posing in her bikinis for social media when she hits 70 as she feels as good as she did 40 years ago (pictured R in 1983)

She said: 'I’ll be slathering on my SPF 30, reapplying as needed, wearing long sleeves and a wide brim hat'

Sailor shared, 'HAPPY SEXY 70, MOM!' 

Alexa then said: 'Happy Birthday To This Ever-Beautiful, Pure, N’ Precious Mother O’ Mine… Who Always Feels Like Home To Me. I’ve gotta song in the works for you, Mom… here’s the lyrics: ‘Christie Lee, Christie Lee / You’re the starry gal that they all wanna see/ Shiny sweetness laid in rows of sunflower hair.—Mother O’ Mine, By Me.'

The Vacation actress talked about how she has been able to maintain her youthful appearance all these decades after fame hit in the 1970s.

Brinkley told People, saying she is fine with having a few lines here and there, and also admitting she has tried Botox in the past but is not fond of doing too much to her visage.

In the magazine the focus is also on looking fabulous while letting herself age naturally. 'I want to accept certain wrinkles. That's the way I'm approaching aging,' said the former Vogue cover girl.

'Sometimes when people get older, and they overdo it, they can look waxy and — I don't know what the word is — preserved or something. I want a little life to show on my face, you know?'