Meteorologist Sam Champion revealed on “Good Morning America” Friday that he’d been treated for skin cancer.
The ABC weatherman appeared with a large gash under his left eye where a basal cell carcinoma was removed in recent weeks.
“I hope that one day no one has to go through surgery to get rid of skin cancer.”
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
— Good Morning America (@GMA) October 18, 2024
Champion said he only had his stitches removed Thursday and would figure out next how to deal with the scar left behind. The growth he had biopsied was “larger and deeper” than what he expected. His said his doctor compared nodules to icebergs, explaining what’s seen above the surface is smaller than the potential danger below.
“I’m not going to enjoy having a longer scar than I thought I was going to have,” he confessed. “[But] the scar isn’t the problem, the skin cancer is the problem.”
The 63-year-old TV veteran told viewers he loves being outdoors and used to spend time outside without proper sunscreen. He said there’s no longer any reason to do the latter in a segment detailing how to correctly protect yourself against the sun.
“There have been so many advancements in sun protection, sunscreen and laser treatments for pre-cancerous areas, so I hope one day no one has to go through surgery to get rid of skin cancer,” Champion said.
While he was being treated for skin cancer under his eye, Champion said a dermatologist zapped other spots on his face with a CO2 laser to be on the safe side. He advised viewers to be aware of new growths on their skin and seek immediate care if those marks change in appearance.
Champion joined ABC’s “Eyewitness News” team in 1988 before moving to “Good Morning America” in 2006. In 2013, he jumped over to “The Weather Channel,” but returned to ABC News in 2019.