During a live broadcast of ‘Good Day Philadelphia’ on FOX29, Mike Jerrick, a Fox TV news anchor, was diagnosed with basal cell skin cancer by dermatologist Dr. Joanna Walker. The diagnosis occurred during a segment focused on skin health, where Walker inspected a spot on Jerrick’s right elbow and confirmed it as basal cell carcinoma, a common and treatable type of skin cancer.
Doctor Joanna Walker of the Tara Miller Melanoma Center at the University of Pennsylvania identified the spot during the segment, explaining that it has all the features of the most common type of skin cancer, which is also very treatable when caught early. Jerrick expressed surprise at the diagnosis, asking, ‘What are you going to do to it, burn it off?’ Walker advised that the cancerous spot most likely needs to be ‘cut and stitched.’
The good news, she said, is that basal cell is a ‘very slow-growing type of skin cancer’ that’s not likely to spread anywhere else on the body. However, she emphasized the importance of removing it to prevent further growth and damage to normal skin. Jerrick spoke with Fox News Digital about the revelation, noting that it was a complete surprise to him, despite having planned to check his skin during the segment.
Many viewers have reached out to thank Jerrick for raising awareness about skin health and cancer prevention. The incident has sparked conversations about the importance of regular skin checks, especially for those with suspicious markings or changes in their skin. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer, affecting about 3.6 million Americans each year, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.