Best known for playing the charmingly-quirky sleuth Elsbeth on the hit CBS show of the same name, actress Carrie Preston, 58, recently revealed she was diagnosed with skin cancer after a mole on her cheek tested positive for basal cell carcinoma. Here, everything you need to know about her health scare and recovery. Plus a top dermatologist shares early warning signs of this common form of skin cancer and the most effective treatment options.
Carrie Preston learned she had skin cancer while filming Elsbeth
On the last day of shooting season two of Elsbeth, Preston learned a mole on her face was cancerous, she told Busy Phillips on her podcast Busy This Week. “Everyone kept asking me what are you going to do on your hiatus [from the show],” she said. “Just an hour prior, I had found out that a test I had done on a mole on my cheek was basal cell carcinoma… I didn’t want to tell people because I was shocked and a little bit ashamed, a little bit like, what did I do wrong?”
Her initial reaction to the diagnosis is a familiar one, notes board-certified and fellowship-trained cosmetic dermatologist Pooja Rambhia, MD, FAAD. “It’s common to see patients express guilt,” she confirms. “But skin cancer is often the result of several factors, many of which are out of your control, like genetics, UV exposure decades earlier and skin type.”
Luckily, the Emmy winner’s misplaced sense of shame quickly yielded to the support of friends and colleagues, particularly her fellow actresses on set that day.
“Within minutes these women just rallied around me” -Carrie Preston
“I thought let me talk to these women, and I was just honest: This just happened, and I’ve got to get this surgery-I’d never even heard of this procedure before called a Mohs,” she recalled. “And these women just rallied around me… [guest star] Mary-Louise Parker was like, ‘My friend just did that; let me get on the phone.’ Within like five minutes I was talking to a doctor’s office, and I had an appointment for the following week.”
What is basal cell carcinoma?
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80 percent of all skin cancer cases, reveals Dr. Rambhia. “BCC typically appears on sun-exposed areas of the body, particularly the face, neck, ears, scalp, shoulders and back. On the face, it commonly occurs on the nose, forehead and cheeks, which aligns with Carrie Preston’s experience.”
Early skin cancer symptoms to watch for
This type of skin cancer can present in several ways, Dr. Rambhia says. Symptoms of basal cell carcinoma may include:
- A pearly or waxy bump
- A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion
- A bleeding or scabbing sore that heals and returns
“Sometimes [BCC] appears as a pink growth with a slightly elevated, rolled border and a crusted indentation in the center,” she adds.
Unlike melanoma, which can spread aggressively throughout the body, BCC rarely metastasizes and is much less dangerous than other skin cancers like squamous cell carcinoma, she assures.
“The prognosis is excellent, with over 95 percent cure rates when treated promptly through surgical removal like Preston underwent,” Dr. Rambhia says. “While BCC grows slowly and rarely spreads to other organs, it can cause significant local tissue damage if left untreated, making early detection and immediate medical attention crucial for the best outcomes.”
How basal cell carcinoma is treated
Preston admitted she had never heard of the procedure, called Mohs surgery, used to remove the cancerous mole, acknowledging it was a little more involved than she expected.
What exactly does it entail? Mohs surgery is a precise technique where thin layers of skin are removed and examined under a microscope until no cancer cells remain-offering both the highest cure rate and maximal tissue preservation,” explains Dr. Rambhia.
While this is one of the most common treatments, alternatives include standard surgical excision, topical treatments like imiquimod (a cream that boosts the immune system to kill abnormal cells), cryotherapy (freezing cancer cells) and radiation therapy, depending on the tumor’s size, location and type, she adds.
Preston is recovering from skin cancer surgery
Describing her recovery, Preston told Phillips, “I have a scar that’s healing… so I have to wear these silicone scar strips.”
Indeed, when it comes to minimizing scar tissue, early intervention makes a big difference. “Gentle wound care, silicone gels and sun protection all help, but laser treatments-especially when started within the first few months [following surgery]-can dramatically improve the scar’s appearance,” says Dr. Rambhia.
“Vascular lasers can reduce redness, while fractional lasers can smooth and soften texture, leading to a more refined cosmetic outcome,” she adds. Consult a cosmetic dermatologist to learn more.
Not to be outdone by her fashion-forward Elsbeth character, Preston added that if she’s going to wear something on her face, it’s darn well going to be pretty. “I went and got some jewels [adhesive gems for her scar strip]. I’m basically wearing what the kids wear to raves on my face,” she said with a laugh.
How to prevent skin cancer
Basal cell carcinoma is highly preventable with smart sun protection, promises Dr. Rambhia. “Daily use of broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, wearing hats and protective clothing and avoiding tanning beds are key. Even incidental sun exposure-like walking the dog or sitting by a window-adds up over time,” she cautions. “If something new, changing or non-healing shows up on your skin, it’s time to see a board-certified dermatologist,” she adds. “Early detection can make a world of difference.”
More inspiring celebrity health stories:
‘Duck Dynasty’ Matriarch Miss Kay Is Doing ‘So Much Better’ After Recent Health Struggles
Jamie Foxx Shares Update on His Health and Stroke Recovery in New Netflix Special
