Stars Under 40 Share Skin Cancer Scares And New Habits

They’re young, famous and successful but that didn’t save them from a skin cancer diagnosis. 

Reality TV star Khloe Kardashian has had multiple bouts with melanoma. She first had a cancerous mole removed when she was 19. At 38, she had a melanoma tumor removed from her cheek.

At the time she told ABC news, “I never imagined that this tiny speck would turn into skin cancer, and I can’t fathom what could have happened had I not gone to the doctor to get it looked at.”

Kevin Jonas of the Jonas Brothers used Instagram to share his story of getting a basal-cell carcinoma removed from his head in 2024. 

World-famous Twitch streamer Tyler “Ninja” Blevins shared his shock on X after melanoma was found in what he thought was a mole on the bottom of his foot.

Australian reality star Harry Jowsey posted a video on Instagram after he was diagnosed at 26 during a routine skin check.

“Dancing With The Stars” pro Witney Carson had to have a melanoma removed from her foot when she was just 22. 

Melanoma is the most common form of cancer in young adults, 25-29 years old. It’s also the second most common cancer among 15 to 29 year olds, says the Melanoma Research Foundation. 

Skin cancer is also the most common cancer in the United States. Experts say rates are rising among young people because of myths and misinformation about sun exposure.

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“Many people are misguided in their understanding of what constitutes risky behavior and how they can spot a problem once it arises,” said Tim Turnham, executive director of the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF). 

One of those risky behaviors: tanning beds. Witney Carson said as a high schooler she would visit a tanning salon three times a week. Indoor tanning devices can emit UV radiation 10 to 15 higher than the sun. 

After her surgery and recovery, Carson dropped her tanning-bed habit and became a vocal advocate for regular skin examinations.

Jonas and Howsey have also encouraged their fans to get regular skin checks with a dermatologist. In his 2024 video, Howsey implored, “Wear your sunscreen and be a little more responsible because that’s what I gotta do now and it’s very scary.”

Another thing you can do is check the daily UV index levels where you live, to find out if you’ll need extra sun protection on a given day, it’s easy to do with The Weather Channel app.

The MRF says having five or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma, so regularly using sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher is recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology Association.

Skin cancer is largely preventable; basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are also highly treatable if detected early. Melanoma can also be successfully treated if caught early before it spreads to the lymph nodes.

So while May is when many of us are itching to get outside and enjoy spring after a long winter covered up indoors, May is also Skin Cancer Awareness Month, so protect yourself no matter your age.