Jessy Schram Reveals Melanoma Diagnosis and Urges Fans to "Get Skin Checked": Details
The Chicago Med star, who plays Dr. Hannah Asher, was super brave for her fans.
Jessy Schram recently did something that her Chicago Med character, Dr. Hannah Asher, would want all of her patients to do.
In a vulnerable Instagram post, the actress disclosed her experience with getting diagnosed with skin cancer, more specifically, melanoma, after noticing a new freckle on her foot. The Mayo Clinic describes melanoma as "the most serious type of skin cancer" and explains that it "develops in the cells (melanocytes) that produce melanin — the pigment that gives your skin its color. Melanoma can also form in your eyes and, rarely, inside your body, such as in your nose or throat."
Luckily, Schram's condition was caught early, and was removed completely before it spread. The actress had a good sense of humor about the situation, as she posted a cute video of herself with her hospital gown on backwards.
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Chicago Med's Jessy Schram opens up about her skin cancer diagnosis
The star urged her fans to carefully monitor any changes they see in their skin with a thoughtful post.
"GET YOUR SKIN CHECKED FOLKS!! About a year ago I was doing my nails and noticed a tiny black freckle between my toes. I hadn’t seen it before, so I noted it and went on with my life. A few months ago I decided to get a skin check and pointed the spot out. I’m a pretty speckled person when it comes to freckles and beauty marks, so I’m used to a minimum of 4 samples taken each visit. I’m NOT used to being called the very next day saying I’ve got melanoma."
She further explained, "I was told it was pre-melanoma and due to the 'pre' nature of it, I didn’t need to cancel flying off to my honeymoon that night, but the literal day after we got back, it needed removal. Due to the sensitivity and depth of the location, I got put under and stitched up. If you would’ve told me this was something from my ear, face, arms, back…. a mole of substantial size, I haven’t always worn sunscreen and I’ve driven daily for 20 years in the Sunshine State… it would’ve made sense to me. But it was a tiny freckle between my toes that simply got a little darker.
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She continued, "I’m extremely lucky. I should’ve gone in sooner- but I’m lucky that the timing was enough to catch it early. I’m lucky to have health care, a doctor that didn’t mess around and a surgical team that kept me safe while under and got it all out. I want you and all my loved ones to be lucky too. Check your body and the ones you love. Keep note. Don’t wait. Wear sunscreen ♥️ Ps- Anyone have any UVA/UVB sunscreens they love? 😎," she wrote on the post.
