Hugh Jackman has faced plenty of dangers on film as steel-clawed "X-Men" character Wolverine, but when it came time to have a cancerous growth on his nose removed, he left the slashing and cutting to the professionals.
Jackman, 45, took to Twitter and Instagram Thursday to share a photo of his bandaged nose after a basal cell carcinoma was removed from it — hoping his experience would encourage his followers to get checked by a medical provider and to "USE sunscreen!!!"
"Deb said to get the mark on my nose checked," Jackman posted, referring to his wife Deborra-Lee Furness. "Boy, was she right! I had a basil cell carcinoma. Please don't be foolish like me. Get yourself checked. And USE sunscreen!!!
Many readers sent their well-wishes to the former Sexiest Man Alive, applauded his decision to get checked, and shared stories of family members who have undergone a similar procedure.
"@RealHughJackman My Mom nagged me over and over to get a mole checked out and thankful because it was Melanoma. Now I nag others," wrote Taylor Mitchell (@TSSTaylor)
"As a dermatologist, @RealHughJackman thank you for spreading the awareness," commented Zeina Nehme (@ZeinaNehmeMD), a dermatologist, adding, " Hope you have a speedy recovery and a small scar!"
Deb said to get the mark on my nose checked. Boy, was she right! I had a basil cell carcinoma. Please… http://t.co/DESCvGR7GX — Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) November 21, 2013