The governor of New York has basal cell carcinoma, a common type of skin cancer.
Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) announced her diagnosis to reporters Thursday following a public safety press conference in Manhattan.
Hochul told reporters her physician discovered the skin cancer during a routine checkup “a few weeks ago.”
“A tiny, tiny speck on my nose, you can’t even see it,” Hochul told reporters. In an “excess of precaution,” Hochul said she will have the tumor removed Friday morning.
Surgeries to remove basal cell carcinoma typically occur in office with the use of local anesthetic, meaning people who undergo the procedure can usually go home the same day.
“I’ll be out of commission for about an hour or two tomorrow morning,” Hochul said, adding that when she does return to work “there will be a bandage on my nose.”
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer with about 3.6 million cases of the disease diagnosed each year, according to The Skin Cancer Foundation.
The disease is becoming more common, in part, due to better skin cancer detection, overall increased sun exposure and people living longer, according to the American Cancer Society.
People of all skin tones can develop basal cell carcinoma, but those with light skin that rarely tans, light eyes and red or blonde hair have the highest risk of developing the disease, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
The cancer tends to grow slowly and while typically not life-threatening, if left untreated, it can “wrap around nerves and blood vessels” and spread to muscle and bone, according to the association’s website.
Some early signs of the cancer are a slowly growing, “non-healing spot that sometimes bleeds,” or a slightly raised area of irritated skin.
“I encourage everyone to make sure that they do get regular checkups and follow through,” Hochul said.