"This Is Cancer"... Host Shocked by Doctor's Words During Live Broadcast

Diagnosed with Basal Cell Carcinoma,
a Skin Cancer with Low Risk of Spreading

A television host in the United States has attracted attention after being diagnosed with skin cancer by a specialist during a live broadcast.

Dr. Joanna Walker (right), a dermatologist in the United States, diagnosed basal cell carcinoma by looking at the right arm of host Mike Jerrick (center) during the broadcast. Fox29 broadcast screen capture

On June 4 (local time), Fox News reported that Mike Jerrick, co-host of Fox29's "Good Day Philadelphia," was diagnosed with skin cancer by a dermatologist who appeared on a recent live broadcast. Dr. Joanna Walker, from the Tara Miller Melanoma Center at the University of Pennsylvania, was emphasizing the importance of skin examinations during the broadcast when she examined a spot on Jerrick's right elbow and diagnosed it as basal cell carcinoma, a common type of cancer.

Dr. Walker explained, "It has all the characteristics of the most common skin cancer," and added, "If detected early, it is very easy to treat." Jerrick, surprised, asked, "What are you going to do? Are you going to burn it off?" Dr. Walker replied, "I think we will need to excise the cancerous area and then suture it." She emphasized, "Basal cell carcinoma is a very slow-growing skin cancer with a low likelihood of spreading to other parts of the body, but it must be removed to prevent the cancer cells from growing and covering normal skin."

A dermatologist is pointing at a spot (red circle) on the elbow of Mike Jerick, the host of Fox29's "Good Day Philadelphia." Screenshot from Fox29 broadcast.

In an interview with Fox News, Jerrick said, "I was very surprised to be diagnosed with skin cancer during the broadcast," and added, "I wanted to check a few issues on my arm, and Dr. Walker looked at my skin under a microscope, but I never thought it would be skin cancer." Jerrick also noted, "For people who have spots or changes on their skin like I do, it is important to get checked."

The Skin Cancer Foundation in the United States stated that basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer, affecting about 3.6 million Americans each year. Basal cell carcinoma is a cancer that develops in the basal cells of the skin. In most cases, lesions are visible on the skin's surface, allowing for rapid detection of the cancer. Chronic exposure to ultraviolet radiation and genetic mutations are cited as causes. It most frequently appears on the face. While it rarely spreads to other parts of the body, it can invade surrounding skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle, and bone. In its early stages, it often appears as black or dark brown spots, which can easily be mistaken for moles. For an accurate diagnosis, a skin biopsy is necessary.