Country music icon Lee Kernaghan tells of skin cancer surgery

Country music icon Lee Kernaghan has revealed his close shave with skin cancer — and told of the only reason it was on his radar.

HE LOVES his sunburnt country, but Australian country music icon Lee Kernaghan has learned the hard way of the dangers of the intense sun.

“Just recently I noticed what seemed to be a small pimple on my chin that kept reappearing,” said Kernaghan, who lives on the Gold Coast.

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“I got it checked out, and it ended up being a basal cell cancer that needed to be surgically removed before it turned into something more sinister.

“I’ve learned first-hand how important it is to get regular skin checks.

“The only reason I acted reasonably fast was that a mate of mine at the gym had a similar mark near his lips that resulted in a fair amount of surgery to have his skin cancer removed.”

Country music icon Lee Kernaghan has opened up about his close shave.

Known as the “Boy from the Bush”, Kernaghan has had a number of skin cancer scares over the years.

“Every day I sing about a sunburnt country, but Australia’s great outdoors can definitely take a toll on your skin,” he said.

The 36-time Golden Guitar winner and 2008 Australian of the Year has been named Skin Cancer College Australasia’s foundation ambassador.

Chief executive Lynette Hunt said: “Lee typifies the Australian spirit, and has been part of the nation’s fabric for more than 25 years.

“Given his relationship with Australia and his own skin cancer experiences, there is no one better equipped to help educate the community about the need to be familiar with their own skin, the importance of self-monitoring for any changes and professional skin checks.”

Every year in Australia skin cancers account for close to 80 per cent of all newly diagnosed cancers, with the majority of skin cancers caused by exposure to the sun.