Sam Billings has revealed he needed two operations to remove skin cancer, and has urged the rest of the cricket community to stay informed on the dangers of not using sun cream.
The wicketkeeper, 31, had the treatment in the same month that his international colleagues took part in the T20 World Cup. He has shared details of the small margins involved, having opted against delaying seeking medical attention.
Billings was back in action not long after his operations, playing against Australia in November. Now, though, the Kent star has attempted to remind others in the sport of the dangers.
"Last October I had a bit of a reality check, two operations to remove skin cancer off my chest put cricket on the back burner for a little while and into perspective," Billings tweeted. "We all are pretty blasé when it comes to putting suncream on but it really has to change.
"As cricketers we’re exposed to the sun so much and we can all be more diligent. Cases have doubled over the last 20 years and will continue to double again over the next 20 years."
He expanded on his comments in an interview with The Telegraph. There, he admitted to having once been a "classic Brit abroad" when it came to removing his shirt without applying sun cream, and wants his experience to be a lesson.
Could cricket and cricketers be doing more? Have your say in the comments section
“I’ve been that classic Brit abroad, as a 22-year-old with fairer hair in Australia thinking that it was worth going a bit red to end up brown," Billings told The Telegraph. "And at home you see it all the time, it gets to 12 degrees and sunny, all the tops come off.
"I didn’t think I’d be the guy who got skin damage. I hope people see my story and think twice.”
He shared details of conversations with a doctor, Andy Birnie, which led to a mole being removed and checked. He admitted he "didn't sleep well" after being called in for a morning appointment the following day, where he learned what needed to be done.
"Andy told me that I had a melanoma that was 0.6mm [deep]," he added "The threshold of when it gets really serious is 0.7mm, so really close.
"If I had left that screening to go to the meeting, and waited until my next one six months down the line it could have been far, far more serious. The margins are so small but can have massive consequences.”
