Janet Street-Porter was terrified about what her skin cancer would do to her face.
The 73-year-old TV presenter was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma before the Covid-19 lockdown was enforced in the UK and had to wait three months before having it removed.
Writing in the Daily Mail newspaper, she explained: "I spent the entire three months terrified – not because of Covid-19, but because I did not know what was going to happen to my face. I’m not obsessed with signs of ageing, but I make my living by appearing on television.
"I’m not pretending I’m conventionally attractive, but I am proud of my looks. We live in a society where every single part of the body is analysed and commented on, and you can really feel exposed.
"In my 70s, I’m a rarity on television, where most women are well groomed and perfect, but to many viewers I represent a sign that you needn’t conform, you can grow old and still have something important to contribute. Nevertheless, high-definition television means every wrinkle looks like a huge crease!"
And, although Janet has made a good recovery, she admitted there is a chance she will have another basal cell carcinoma in the future.
She said: "I’ve been lucky, but there’s an increased chance I will have another basal cell carcinoma, so I’m watching for any small lumps which grow, bleed or change shape. I shall definitely keep going for an expert inspection once a year.
"My advice is: keep your face out of the sun, wear a hat and slap on Factor 50. Otherwise you could be in for a nasty shock. Post Covid, I wouldn’t want to be on an even longer NHS waiting list for a skin cancer clinic."