Michael Clarke reveals skin cancer battle after spending years playing cricket

As a professional cricketer, Michael Clarke spent days out in the sun. Here, he talks candidly about the hidden health battle he’s been facing. Watch the video as he tells his story.

Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke has visited the dermatologist twice a year since he was 19 — he doesn’t remember a time he left the clinic without having a skin cancer removed or frozen from his body.

Most recently, the 42-year-old father of one came home with 27 stitches across his chest after having a dangerous Basal Cell Carcinoma removed.

“It does scare me,” Clarke said.

“I am a dad – I don’t want to go anywhere. The most important thing in the world is making sure I help my seven-year-old daughter (Kelsey Lee) and I guess set a good example for her.

“To me, making sure I am putting sunscreen on so she can see it is not just me getting her to do it, it is dad doing it as well.”

Michael Clark joins Australian Skin Cancer Foundation as ambassador, pictured at Vaucluse House. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Clarke is an ambassador for the Australian Skin Cancer Foundation and is urging fellow Aussies to be diligent this summer.

Cricketing greats Allan Border, Ian Chappell and Peter Taylor have also been rocked by skin cancers. The late Richie Benaud and Max Walker also battled skin cancers. British cricketer Sam Billings too.

Clarke isn’t sure of any proven links but believes there is a connection.

Michael Clarke during one-day international West Indies v Australia. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“I am not surprised that a lot of cricketers have had skin cancers because you spend a lot of time in the sun,” Clarke said.

“Imagine fielding all day in India, out there for eight hours in the sun, a lot of the guys are wearing the baggy green cap so you are not protecting your ears or your face, you’ve got short sleeved shirts so your arms and the tops of your hands.”

Clarke training with the Australian team in 2004 at Rangiri Dambulla Stadium. Michael Clarke bowling in the nets. pic. Phil Hillyard

Michael Clark joins Australian Skin Cancer Foundation. Picture of stitches on his forehead.

Clarke’s grandfather died of bowel cancer. His father fought hodgkins lymphoma and prostate cancer.

“I have been in the sun my entire career,” Clarke said.

“I’ve always been disciplined with putting sunscreen on, my parents were too. The part I guess I haven’t been disciplined with was reapplying. All through my career I put sunscreen on but you sweat it off.”

He added: “The awareness is a lot better now but because I’ve had so many cut out, I’m aware of the dangers. Prevention is better than cure, we need people aware before they have to have them cut out.”

* For more information and to see where Australian Skin Cancer Foundation Skin Check Trucks are located, www.australianskincancerfoundation.org.