Christie Brinkley reveals skin cancer diagnosis, says she’s ‘lucky’ to have caught it early

Supermodel Christine Brinkley was diagnosed with skin cancer.Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Christie Brinkley is reminding fans to wear their sunscreen and get regular check-ups after being diagnosed with skin cancer.

The 70-year-old model revealed on Instagram Wednesday that she recently underwent a biopsy after her doctor noticed a cancerous spot near her temple.

“The good news for me is we caught the basal cell carcinoma early,” she wrote alongside several photos from the procedure. “And I had great Doctors that removed the cancer and stitched me up to perfection like an haute couture Dior 👍.”

Brinkley shared the news to her Instagram on Wednesday. christiebrinkley/Instagram The model had to get some of the skin on one side of her face removed. christiebrinkley/Instagram

In the snaps, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model sat in an operating chair as a white gauze-like headband held her hair back. Her doctor removed a nickel-size area of skin on one side of her face before stitching her back up and placing a bandage atop the incision.

Brinkley explained that she was “lucky” to have even caught the cancer as she had tagged along to her daughter’s appointment for moral support when the doctor noticed the mark on her face.

“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,” she explained.

“He took a look and knew immediately it needed a biopsy! He did it then and there!”

She shared photos from during and after the surgery, which she said went great. christiebrinkley/Instagram The 70-year-old encouraged her followers to use sunscreen and regularly visit the doctor. christiebrinkley/Instagram

She then urged fans to create their “own good luck” by regularly seeing their doctor and using protection in the sun.

“The good news for you is that all of this can be avoided by being diligent with your sun protection!” the model continued. “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.”

She added, “And doing regular total body check ups..that is a MUST !”

---

For more Page Six you love…

Listen to our weekly “We Hear” podcast Shop our exclusive merch

---

Brinkley said she was “lucky” to have caught the cancer as she was actually at the doctor as moral support for her daughter. alexarayjoel/Instagram “He took a look and knew immediately it needed a biopsy!” she recalled. “He did it then and there!” Christie Brinkley / Instagram

In January, Brinkley revealed during an interview with People that excessive sun exposure from her modeling career left her covered with sun spots.

To combat the skin damage, the supermodel has been getting skin-resurfacing Fraxel treatments twice a year.

Although Brinkley may have a scar from the recent procedure, the model has never been one to care about life taking a toll on her looks.

It’s unclear exactly when the biopsy took place. Instagram The model told People at the beginning of the year that years of tanning and modeling in the sun left her with sun damage. Instagram/@christiebrinkley

During the same interview with People, the blond bombshell said she felt happier letting herself age gracefully and “just letting it be” rather than trying to maintain her youthful appearance through Botox and surgery.

“I want to accept certain wrinkles. That’s the way I’m approaching aging,” she explained.

“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?”