Hugh Jackman reveals skin cancer battle in documentary: ‘I remember feeling pretty scared’
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When we think of Hugh Jackman, images of the rugged Wolverine or the charismatic performer in The Greatest Showman might spring to mind.
But behind the scenes, this beloved Aussie actor has faced a very real and personal battle—one that is shared by many Australians: the fight against skin cancer.
In the revealing new documentary Conquering Skin Cancer, Jackman opened up about his skin cancer ordeal, sharing his story alongside other high-profile Australians, including Olympic swimmer Cate Campbell and media personality Deborah Hutton.
Their aim? To lead the charge in skin cancer prevention and to change Australia's relationship with the sun.
Australia has the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, a statistic that is as alarming as it is preventable.
'Australia is the world champion of skin cancer. This is not a title that we want,' Campbell stated in the documentary.
Every four minutes, skin cancer claims a life in Australia, and we account for 10 per cent of the world's melanoma cases.
The documentary, directed by filmmaker Mike Hill, featured survivors, experts, and advocates who all share powerful messages of prevention.
'Two in every three Australians will get skin cancers in their lifetime, and that is such an alarming statistic,' Hill said.
His film is a call to arms, urging Australians to rethink their sun-seeking habits.
Hugh Jackman shared his own experience with skin cancer.
'I remember feeling pretty scared,' Jackman admitted in the film.
Cancer Council WA's Ashley Reid, who had a melanoma removed from his calf three years ago, echoed this sentiment in the documentary.
'This is from someone who talks about it all day long, but then it's you. It's you, a friend, a family, a colleague, it's every family affected,' Reid said.
The documentary also featured Surfing WA Chief Executive Mark Lane, a four-time skin cancer survivor.
'I'm six years into this journey. I've still got a bit to go,' he shared.
His message is clear: 'Getting a half-hour skin check-up is far easier than what I've had to deal with the last six years.'
Conquering Skin Cancer is set to make its debut in cinemas on 20 November.
You can watch the trailer below:
Credit: Conquering Cancer / YouTube
But it seems the future for winning the battle against skin cancer is bright.
In a previous story, medical experts have been testing a smartphone gadget that assesses UV damage to the eye, which could potentially indicate skin cancer risk.
The gadget is being trialled to check its effectiveness to be used in detecting skin cancer. You can read more about the story here.
Have you had a skin check recently? How do you protect yourself from the harsh Australian sun? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.
But behind the scenes, this beloved Aussie actor has faced a very real and personal battle—one that is shared by many Australians: the fight against skin cancer.
In the revealing new documentary Conquering Skin Cancer, Jackman opened up about his skin cancer ordeal, sharing his story alongside other high-profile Australians, including Olympic swimmer Cate Campbell and media personality Deborah Hutton.
Their aim? To lead the charge in skin cancer prevention and to change Australia's relationship with the sun.
Hugh Jackman shared his journey battling skin cancer in a documentary film. Credit: Conquering Cancer / YouTube
Australia has the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, a statistic that is as alarming as it is preventable.
'Australia is the world champion of skin cancer. This is not a title that we want,' Campbell stated in the documentary.
Every four minutes, skin cancer claims a life in Australia, and we account for 10 per cent of the world's melanoma cases.
The documentary, directed by filmmaker Mike Hill, featured survivors, experts, and advocates who all share powerful messages of prevention.
'Two in every three Australians will get skin cancers in their lifetime, and that is such an alarming statistic,' Hill said.
His film is a call to arms, urging Australians to rethink their sun-seeking habits.
Hugh Jackman shared his own experience with skin cancer.
'I remember feeling pretty scared,' Jackman admitted in the film.
Cancer Council WA's Ashley Reid, who had a melanoma removed from his calf three years ago, echoed this sentiment in the documentary.
'This is from someone who talks about it all day long, but then it's you. It's you, a friend, a family, a colleague, it's every family affected,' Reid said.
The documentary also featured Surfing WA Chief Executive Mark Lane, a four-time skin cancer survivor.
'I'm six years into this journey. I've still got a bit to go,' he shared.
His message is clear: 'Getting a half-hour skin check-up is far easier than what I've had to deal with the last six years.'
Conquering Skin Cancer is set to make its debut in cinemas on 20 November.
You can watch the trailer below:
Credit: Conquering Cancer / YouTube
But it seems the future for winning the battle against skin cancer is bright.
In a previous story, medical experts have been testing a smartphone gadget that assesses UV damage to the eye, which could potentially indicate skin cancer risk.
The gadget is being trialled to check its effectiveness to be used in detecting skin cancer. You can read more about the story here.
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