In a startling on-air moment that quickly made headlines, Good Day Philadelphia host Mike Jerrick learned he had skin cancer during a live television segment focused on skin health. The moment occurred last Thursday, during a broadcast on FOX29, when Dr. Joanna Walker, a dermatologist from the Tara Miller Melanoma Center at the University of Pennsylvania, appeared on the show to discuss how to spot warning signs of skin cancer.

As reported by Fox News Digital, Dr. Walker examined a suspicious spot on Jerrick’s right elbow and identified it as basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer.

“It has all the features of the most common type of skin cancer, which is also very treatable when it’s caught early,” she said on air, according to Fox News.

The moment, which aired live, was also covered by The US Sun, where Jerrick appeared visibly stunned and asked, “What are you going to do to it, burn it off?”

“This one probably needs to be cut and stitched,” Dr. Walker replied, assuring him that it’s a very slow-growing cancer and not likely to spread.

In an interview after the segment, Jerrick told Fox News Digital that he had asked Dr. Walker to bring her dermatoscope to check out a couple of spots on his arm, but he “never really thought it was going to be skin cancer.”

“That part was planned, but I never expected this diagnosis,” he added.

The New York Post also highlighted the incident, noting that Dr. Walker advised the host to have the spot removed as soon as possible to prevent further skin damage.

“You do need to remove it so it doesn’t keep growing and take over normal skin,” she said during the segment.

Viewers responded swiftly across social media with messages of concern and encouragement.

“Discovering that live must’ve been so intense! Stay strong,” wrote one user on X. Another urged, “Please get a full body check annually with your dermatologist”, as reported in The US Sun.

Dr. Walker used the opportunity to remind viewers of the ABCDE rule for identifying potentially dangerous moles:

  • Asymmetry
  • Border irregularity
  • Color variation
  • Diameter larger than 6mm
  • Evolving in size or shape over time
Basal cell carcinoma, while not usually life-threatening, can be locally invasive and disfiguring if left untreated. It’s typically caused by prolonged exposure to UV radiation and appears as a translucent bump, patch, or sore that doesn’t heal.

Jerrick’s experience serves as a dramatic reminder of the importance of routine skin exams. Early detection is crucial for effective treatment.

The host is expected to undergo a minor surgical procedure and has expressed his gratitude for the quick diagnosis.

“We’re lucky it was caught early,” Jerrick told Fox News Digital, “and I’m grateful to Dr. Walker for being so thorough—even live on camera.”

Produced with the assistance of a news-analysis system.