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By Rachel Dobkin
Weekend Reporter
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New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday revealed she has been diagnosed with skin cancer and will undergo a removal procedure on Friday morning.
While speaking with reporters, Hochul, 66, said her doctor found basal cell carcinoma on her nose during a recent routine checkup a few weeks ago.
Hochul described it as a "tiny, tiny speck on my nose," adding that "you can't even see it."
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"I'm going to have a small removal procedure. I'm not going under. It's local anesthesia. It will be occurring Friday morning. I'll be back to work an hour later, but there will be a bandage on my nose," she told reporters.
Basal cell carcinoma—a slow-growing cancer often linked to sun exposure—is one of the most common types of skin cancer. It is highly curable, especially if it's caught early, and is often removed with a shallow incision. The cancer is usually confined to the surface of the skin, however, if it goes untreated, it can spread to nearby areas and grow on bone or tissue.
Hochul said basal cell carcinoma is common in her family and encouraged others to get regular check-ups and protect their skin.
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How Do I Protect Myself From Skin Cancer?
According to the American Cancer Society, you can lower your risk of getting basal and squamous cell skin cancers by limiting your sun exposure.
Stay in the shade, put sunscreen on and wear hats, sunglasses and clothing that covers your skin. It is also important to avoid tanning beds and sun lamps as they emit UV rays like the sun.
Remember to check your skin regularly for any new growths or abnormal spots. If you find something of concern, bring it up to your doctor.
Smoking can also increase your risk of squamous cell skin cancer and many other types of cancer.
Try to avoid any harmful chemicals like arsenic, which can be found in well water in some areas, pesticides and herbicides and some medicines and imported traditional herbal remedies.
It is also important to avoid weakening your immune system when possible since a weakened immune system increases your chances of getting skin cancer and can also make it more difficult to treat it.
However, keep in mind that there is no definitive way to prevent skin cancer and some risk factors like age, sex, race and family history can't be controlled. For more information, visit the American Cancer Society's website.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
Update 9/12/24 3:36 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information
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