First Lady Dr. Jill Biden delivered an impassioned message to the American people early last year: Get screened for cancer.
It was World Cancer Day, Feb. 4, 2022 when Dr. Biden encouraged taking action.
Thankfully, she took heed of her own advice.
During a recent routine screening for skin cancer, doctors discovered cancerous lesions on her right eyelid and chest. The lesions were found to be a type of basal cell carcinoma. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of cancer overall and the most common type of skin cancer.”
Dr. Biden underwent outpatient Mohs surgery at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Jan. 11 to have them removed. President Joe Biden’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor reported the surgery was a success and that, “All cancerous tissues was successfully removed, and the margins were clear of any residual skin cancer cells.”
However, during the procedure, another small lesion was spotted on the First Lady’s left eyelid. That lesion, too, was removed and sent in for a biopsy. Results were released Jan. 18 revealing the lesion was not cancerous, according to O’Connor.
Doctors diagnosed the lesion on her left eyelid to be “consistent with seborrheic ketatosis,” explained O’Connor, noting it as a “very common, totally harmless non-cancerous growth.”
Dr. Biden joins a list of recent first ladies who were diagnosed with cancer: Betty Ford and Nancy Reagan both had breast cancer, while Laura Bush had a skin cancer tumor removed from her right shin.
During her first public appearance since her procedure, Dr. Biden was spotted wearing sunglasses Monday morning when she and President Biden returned to the White House.
The first lady is scheduled to make an appearance today (Wednesday, Jan. 24) during a ceremony at the Smithsonian’s American History Museum in Washington. As is tradition, she will be donating her presidential inauguration outfits to join other artifacts in the First Ladies exhibition at the museum.