When it comes to talking about skin cancer, Good Morning America’s beloved meteorologist Sam Champion is no stranger. For decades, the 63-year-old news anchor has been on a personal crusade to educate the public about the dangers of sun exposure and the critical importance of regular skin checks.
But Champion’s fight against the disease has taken on a new urgency in recent weeks, as the TV personality has been openly documenting his latest skin cancer scare on social media, hoping to inspire his legions of fans and followers to take their own skin health more seriously.
The saga began when Champion spotted a “red, hard lump” underneath his right eye, a telltale sign of skin cancer that he “knew” all too well. Confirmed by his dermatologist, the news was a familiar but no less daunting blow for the veteran broadcaster, who has undergone multiple surgeries over the years to remove cancerous spots from his skin.
“I’ve had dozens of skin cancers removed,” Champion confessed in an earlier Instagram post. “Most of them have been the very simple basal cell; only one or two progressed further.”
Champion approached this latest challenge with the same unwavering determination and transparency that have defined his career. Documenting his journey for his over 187,000 social media followers, the GMA anchor shared every step of his treatment, from the initial diagnosis to the delicate Mohs surgery performed by renowned dermatologist Dr. Anthony Rossi at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
“Long day. And we got it all!” After the procedure, Champion expressed his relief that they had successfully removed the “questionable area” and planned to test it. But the triumph was short-lived, as the anchor soon returned with a sobering update—further surgery had been required to go “deeper” and address the issue more comprehensively.
“I didn’t want all that. I didn’t want a big gaping hole, and now I’m going to have one,” Champion confessed, his disappointment palpable.
Despite the setback, Champion remained resolute in his commitment to sharing his story, knowing that his experience could serve as a powerful cautionary tale and a call to action for his loyal audience. Just days after his surgery, the anchor returned to GMA’s airwaves with a clear message: we must face skin cancer head-on, with vigilance, education, and a proactive approach to our health.
Champion told viewers, “I want you prepared for it.” “I want you to have knowledge so that you’re never surprised.”
Indeed, Champion’s own journey has been marked by a lifetime of sun exposure and a series of skin cancer diagnoses dating back to his 20s—a byproduct, he admits, of his carefree days as a beach-loving youth who was oblivious to the dangers of UV rays.
“I grew up at a time when we really didn’t use sunscreen,” the anchor explained. “It wasn’t an option, or we didn’t know it was one.”
But Champion’s hard-won experience has transformed him into a vocal advocate for sun safety, using his platform to urge viewers and fans alike to protect their skin, get regular check-ups, and never take their health for granted.
“Make sure you have a good relationship with your doctor so that you can discuss anything that either one of you doesn’t like the look of,” he advised, echoing the guidance of experts who recommend that individuals of all skin tones and ages should be vigilant about examining their skin for any unusual changes or abnormalities.
As Champion continues his recovery and returns to the GMA studios, his message has never been more vital. Skin cancer remains one of the most prevalent and potentially deadly forms of the disease, with an estimated 3.6 million diagnoses in the United States each year. But with early detection and treatment, the prognosis is often highly favorable—a fact that Champion is determined to drive home to his audience.
The anchor reiterated, “I want you prepared for it.” “I want you to have knowledge so that you’re never surprised.”
It’s a lesson that Champion has learned the hard way, but one that he is now committed to passing on to others, using his own battle as a powerful testament to the importance of prioritizing one’s skin health. And in doing so, he is inspiring legions of fans to follow in his footsteps, armed with the knowledge and the courage to take on this formidable foe.