Julian Lennon, son of legendary Beatle John Lennon, has revealed he recently underwent surgery to remove two cancerous patches from his skin, marking his second battle with the disease. Taking to Instagram, Lennon shared the details alongside graphic images of his forearm and shoulder, both stitched up after surgery.
The diagnosis was made by his dermatologist, Dr Tess Mauricio, during a routine check-up in Los Angeles. One of the patches was confirmed as melanoma, requiring urgent surgery. Instead of returning home after a busy tour in New York promoting his book, Life’s Fragile Moments, Lennon flew straight back to LA for the procedure.
“Fingers crossed for now,” Lennon wrote, expressing his hope for clear biopsy results, which he’s yet to receive. The operation, which involved removing large margins of tissue, was deemed a success. Lennon thanked his doctors for “once again, hopefully saving my life.”
This isn’t the first time Lennon has faced a skin cancer scare. In 2020, he underwent surgery to remove a concerning abnormality on his scalp. That experience spurred him to advocate for regular dermatologist visits, urging his followers to “get checked twice a year if you can.”
Skin cancer is a particularly pressing issue for those with fair skin, like Lennon, due to the lack of melanin, which offers protection from UV rays. Studies have shown that individuals with white skin are significantly (up to 70 times in some studies) more likely to develop skin cancer than those with darker skin. According to Cancer Research UK, almost 9 in 10 of those diagnosed with skin cancer will live for a further ten years.
The announcement comes amid a series of high-profile cancer diagnoses in the music world. Patti Scialfa of the E Street Band and Roger O’Donnell of The Cure both revealed their own battles with cancer earlier this year. Elton John, who performed with Lennon’s father on the track ‘Whatever Gets You Thru The Night’, also shared his struggles with his own limited eyesight earlier this month.
Lennon’s openness with his fans and followers extends to his family relationships too. In a recent interview with Esquire, he spoke about his bond with his half-brother, Sean Ono Lennon. Dispelling tabloid rumours of feuds, he said, “We’ve never had a fight in our life,” though he acknowledged the challenges of living under the shadow of their father.
Now primarily focused on photography, Lennon has stepped back from the music spotlight, with his last major tour in 1999. However, his 2022 album, Jude, a nod to the Beatles’ song written for him, shows he hasn’t abandoned music entirely.
With hundreds of messages of support flooding in, including a heartfelt “Love you brother” from Sean, Lennon’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of early detection and prioritising health. Visit the NHS website to view the symptoms associated with skin cancer.
