Actress Christie Brinkley diagnosed with skin cancer

Model and actress Christie Brinkley has been diagnosed with skin cancer, the entrepreneur announced her diagnosis on her Instagram page on Tuesday.

“The good news is we caught the basal cell Carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer, early,” Brinkley wrote on her Instagram page.

She said she had great doctors who removed the cancer and stitched her up to perfection.

According to her post, Christie  Brinkley urged her followers to use sun protection every day.

After accompanying her daughter to a checkup, she feels lucky to have caught it early, Christie Brinkley said.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the doctor determined Christie Brinkley had basal cell carcinoma. Millions of people are diagnosed with the disease each year.

Actress Brinkley gained international fame with her appearances in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues on three consecutive covers in 1979, 1980, and 1981.

Christie Brinkley spent 25 years as the face of CoverGirl has appeared on over 500 magazine covers. She has signed contracts with major brands– both fashion and non-fashion.

Brinkley has been also involved in working as TV personality,  writer, illustrator, photographer, designer, and animal rights activist.

She has been married four times between 1985 and 1994, having appeared in several of his music videos. Her fourth marriage ended in a much-publicized 2008 divorce.

What do we know about Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)?

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, BCC is the most common form of skin cancer. The disease symptoms include “red patches, open sores, shiny bumps, pink growths, scars, or growths with slightly elevated, rolled edges and or a central indentation.

The foundation said if there is early detection and treatment, almost all BCC can be successfully removed without complications.