In a truly unexpected moment of live television, longtime FOX29 anchor Mike Jerrick found out he had skin cancer during a broadcast — while casually chatting about the importance of mole checks.
The jaw-dropping discovery happened during a segment of Good Day Philadelphia, where Jerrick was joined by dermatologist Dr. Joanna Walker from the Tara Miller Melanoma Center at the University of Pennsylvania.
The idea surrounding the segment was simple: raise awareness about skin health. But it took a very personal — and public — turn.
“So This Is a Basal Cell Skin Cancer”
As the cameras rolled, Dr. Walker inspected a spot on Jerrick’s right elbow that immediately raised a red flag. Without missing a beat, she announced: “So this is a basal cell skin cancer. That has all the features of the most common type of skin cancer.”
Jerrick, stunned but composed, responded: “It is?”
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer in the United States, affecting an estimated 3.6 million people annually, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. While it's rarely life-threatening, it still requires timely removal to prevent spreading and skin damage.
Dr. Walker reassured him on-air: “It’s a very slow-growing type of skin cancer. It’s not gonna spread to anywhere else on your body.” But she was also clear about the next step: “It needs to be removed so it doesn’t keep growing and taking over normal skin.”
“What!? And Then Stitch Me Up?”
That’s when things got real. When Jerrick asked if they would burn the spot off, Dr. Walker replied bluntly: “This one probably needs to be cut and stitched.”
Visibly surprised, Jerrick replied: “What!? And then stitch me up?”
He later reflected on the segment, telling Fox News Digital: “I did say that we should have had her bring her [micro]scope because I wanted to check out a couple of things on my arms. So that part was planned. But I never really thought it was going to be skin cancer.”
When co-host Alex Holley asked if Jerrick should book an appointment, Dr. Walker confirmed that a follow-up was necessary — and urgent.
A Diagnosis That Shocked Viewers and the Host Alike
Despite the shocking on-air reveal, Jerrick remained calm. “When she blurted it out, I didn’t get alarmed or anything. It was just like, ‘Oh dang, I should have done this a long time ago.’”
Still, the TV host admitted he was more startled by the treatment plan: “I was more shocked that she said she was going to cut it out instead of burn it off—that’s where I got surprised.”
He’s since scheduled the procedure to remove the cancerous spot, set to take place on Friday. “I should be fine,” he assured viewers. “She’ll just suture me up and I’ll be on my way.”
However, viewers have sent their support on social media, with one X user writing: "Discovering that live must’ve been so intense! Stay strong."
Another added: " Saw the clip about your skin cancer and it really hit me. Don't know why, but the surprise of it [...] Glad that it is gonna be this easy to take care of and glad everything is ok! Good luck sir."
Why This Moment Matters — For Everyone
Viewers were quick to thank Jerrick for turning an everyday health check into a teachable moment that could very well save lives. “It’s important to get those checked,” he advised, especially for anyone noticing suspicious changes or markings on their skin.
Dr. Walker’s swift identification underscores the importance of regular skin checks—especially when up to 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. According to the Mayo Clinic, basal cell carcinoma often appears in sun-exposed areas like the head and neck and can look like a pink or skin-colored bump on light skin, or brown/black on darker skin tones.
Preventative measures like avoiding tanning beds, limiting sun exposure, and using sunscreen are key steps to reducing your risk.