Lee MacDonald, who played Zammo McGuire in Grange Hill, opened up about his skin cancer scare on ITV’s Good Morning Britain.
Lee MacDonald has shared his brush with skin cancer, prompting him to issue a vital message about sun safety.
With an impending heatwave, there’s a buzz about sunscreen and protecting oneself from harmful rays – a matter close to Lee’s heart after a recent health scare.
On Good Morning Britain, the actor who rose to fame in Grange Hill talked to ITV presenters Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley about his skin cancer encounters.
During the chat, it was revealed by Richard that Lee had endured two alarming incidents, with Lee acknowledging his first scare took place a year ago.
He recounted: “It was found to be non-cancerous. Then, O2 are now doing a campaign for skin cancer awareness.
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“On the back of that, I booked an appointment just for the doctors, I’ve got a little rash. It turns out it’s a keratosis, which is a pre-cancerous spot. I’m going to have it burnt out.”
An intrigued Richard asked on ITV if this meant potential cancer risk, to which Lee confirmed the possibility, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Lee stressed the importance of vigilance, adding: “It was just on the back of going and getting checked out, I think we really need to concentrate on putting skincare on and looking at blemishes on your face and going to get them checked out.”
Within the conversation, Susanna raised the significance of applying sun cream prior to enquiring about Lee’s father, who had faced a skin cancer diagnosis.
Reflecting on his father’s experiences, Lee said: “My dad was a driver, for years he would sit with his arm out of the window. My mum would go on about his arm, saying it’s getting burned all the time.
“Later in life, he had skin cancer cut out from that arm.”
Richard pointed out the prevalence of lorry drivers in America resting their arm out of the window during long hauls, which can lead to increased sun exposure.
Lee, however, revealed that his own skin cancer risk stemmed from a different source.
He said: “Before I went to nightclubs years ago, I would lay on the sunbeds for an hour a week. I’d do a Tuesday and Thursday from about 17 until I was around 26 (years old).
“That’s what the doctor said it is; it’s probably the sunbeds rather than the sun; I don’t go out in the sun much because of- being aware of the risks.”
As the interview concluded, Lee shared a precaution he now takes regularly: he always applies sunscreen when he goes fishing with his son, even if the day is overcast.
Good Morning Britain continues weekdays on ITV from 6am.