Hugh Jackman candidly reflects on skin cancer battle after being diagnosed with it six times

Hugh Jackman has opened up about battling skin cancer after being diagnosed with it a total of six times.

The Aussie Wolverine star, 57, appeared on The Howard Stern Show this week when he was questioned about the topic.

Jackman, who is now based in the US, explained that growing up in Australia meant he was "high risk" of getting skin cancer.

Watch the videos above.

Australia has the highest skin cancer rates globally, and around two out of three Australians will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer during their lifetime.

Jackman also said that the type he's had over the years is Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC).

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, they arise from abnormal, uncontrolled growth of basal cells found in the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin.

Because BCCs grow slowly, they are the most are curable and cause minimal damage when caught and treated early.

READ MORE: Singer who toured with Cody Simpson and One Direction dies at 26

READ MORE: Riverdale star Lili Reinhart reveals her shock health diagnosis

READ MORE: 'How dare you': Lewis Capaldi heckles couple at Sydney show

Eperts advise sunscreen and sun protective-clothing be worn to prevent it; or any type of skin cancer.

"I've had like, I think six [skin cancers]," Jackman began.

"Skin cancer, there's three types. Melanoma, the worst. Squamous cell, not great. I've only had Basal Cell.

"No one has ever died in the history of the planet, but it's a cancer and it grows. If you don't take it out, it'll get into your bones and then you've got to take the bone out."

He concluded with a warning: "Obviously Growing up in Australia, I was at a high risk. But everyone should get a check."

For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Jackman said that there was pressure growing up in Australia to always be tanned, but he called himself an "idiot" worrying about a tan. 

"Even after the first one I had, I was like, 'Ah, but it'd still be good to get a tan when I go away.' I'm like, 'What was I thinking?'" he said.

"The second one, I was like, 'You're an idiot. Be the pasty skin guy. Who cares? Because growing up in Australia, if you didn't have a tan, everyone would just make fun of you."

Jackman said his doctor told him he was "going to get a bunch more" skin cancer diagnoses in his life due to changes in his immune system as he gets older.

It's not the first time he's spoken about the topic.

In 2023, Jackman took to Instagram to share another of his skin cancer diagnoses in a warning to his followers.

"I know you've heard me talk about my basal cell carcinomas before," he captioned his post.

"I'm going to keep talking about them, if need be. And if it reminds even one person to put on sunscreen with a high SPF, then I'm happy."

Jackman is now dating American actress and Younger star Sutton Foster, 50, with the pair recently going Instagram official.

It comes after the breakdown of his marriage and his split from wife Deborra-Lee Furness.

The former couple announced their split back in 2023 after almost 30 years of marriage.

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.

------------------------------------

Title: Hugh Jackman candidly reflects on skin cancer battle after being diagnosed with it six times
Sourced From: celebrity.nine.com.au/latest/hugh-jackman-reflects-on-skin-cancer-battle-six-times/1a62c17b-1721-4c26-b6ac-d8fd2aaf7b0d
Published Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2025 23:12:00 GMT