What type of skin cancer did Diane Keaton have, and how life-threatening was it?

Diane Keaton, one of Hollywood’s most beloved actresses, died at the age of 79 in California. Queries around what was the cause of Keaton's death remained visible in social media, as after confirming, People offered no further details, saying that a family spokesperson has asked for privacy.

In a 2015 news report by the Los Angeles Times, it was revealed that she had been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma at age 21, a common type of skin cancer. Later, she was found to have squamous cell cancer, which was removed through two surgeries.

Also Read: How did Diane Keaton pass away? The truth about her skin cancer, eating disorder, and sudden health decline at 79


“It’s a family history,” she told the outlet “I remember my Auntie Martha had skin cancer so bad they removed her nose. My father had basal skin cancer and my brother had it. It’s tricky with this skin cancer. That’s why you’ve got to put the sunblock on.” The article also gave a glimpse of her being very persuaded about wearing sunscreen. She has been a L’Oréal Paris spokeswoman since 2006.

What is basal cell carcinoma?

Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer. As per the Mayo Clinic Basal cell carcinoma begins in the skin cells called basal cells. The basal cells make new skin cells as old ones die off. This type of skin cancer often looks like a slightly transparent bump on the skin, though it can take other forms. Basal cell carcinoma most commonly affects sun-exposed areas of the skin, such as the face and neck.

Most basal cell carcinomas are caused by exposure to light from the sun. Using sunscreen and other sun protection methods can help lower your chances of getting basal cell carcinoma.

As per Cleaveland clinic, the number of new cases in the United States exceeds 4 million cases each year. If untreated, in extremely rare cases, basal cell carcinoma can spread to other parts of your body and cause life-threatening side effects.

What is squamous cell cancer?

According to the Mayo Clinic, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin is a type of cancer that begins with the proliferation of cells on the skin. It starts with squamous cells. The middle and outer layers of skin are made up of squamous cells. Squamous cell carcinoma is a relatively common type of skin cancer.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is usually not life-threatening, but if left untreated, it can grow or spread, causing serious complications, explains the outlet. The main cause is excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight or tanning beds. Protecting your skin from UV light significantly reduces the risk.

SCC can develop anywhere on the body, typically on sun-exposed areas in fair-skinned people, while in those with darker skin tones, it more often appears on less-exposed areas, such as the genitals.