Michael Clarke opens up on skin cancer risk for cricketers from his own experiences

Michael Clarke, a former captain of Australia, has talked about his ongoing battle with skin cancer, disclosing that he has several facial cutouts and needs to see a dermatologist every six months for treatment.

While still playing cricket for Australia in 2006, Clarke had his first skin cancer removed. However, he had been undergoing routine examinations from a young age. Now, Clarke has come to terms with the fact that he will need to monitor his skin closely for the remainder of his life. To increase awareness of the issue, Clarke joined the Australian Skin Cancer Foundation in 2023. He blamed his prolonged exposure to the sun while playing cricket for his increased risk of skin cancer.

He discussed his condition on The Kyle and Jackie O Show, mentioning that he's had “a number cut out” of his face. "I had one about four weeks ago off my nose, and I see my dermatologist every six months. The sunspots, I get frozen. Normally, if they're basal cells, I get them cut out... I think I've had seven cut out of my face,” he said.

"I am not surprised that a lot of cricketers have had skin cancers because you spend a lot of time in the sun," Clarke had told 'Daily Telegraph' in 2023.

"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.

"I have been in the sun my entire career. 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 had said.

Clarke had an incredible career, playing in 115 Tests, 245 ODIs, and 34 T20Is and accumulating more than 17,000 runs in all forms. Prior to retirement, he guided Australia to the 2015 World Cup.

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