Actress Carrie Preston is opening up about her recent basal cell carcinoma diagnosis and the emotional journey that followed, including the strong support she received from her fellow cast members. The Elsbeth star appeared on Wednesday’s episode of Busy Philipps’ streaming series, Busy This Week, wearing a shimmering strip of jewels on her cheek.
Preston explained that the adornment was covering a healing scar from recent surgery to remove a cancerous mole. “I found out that a mole on my cheek was basal cell carcinoma on the last day of shooting the second season of Elsbeth,” Preston shared with Philipps. She said she eventually decided to confide in her co-stars Mary-Louise Parker, Retta, Alyssa Milano, and Elizabeth Lail.
“These women just rallied around me,” Preston said, describing the emotional moment on set. “I didn’t want to tell people, because I was shocked and a little bit ashamed and a little bit like, ‘What did I do wrong?’” Within minutes of sharing the news, Parker had connected her with a trusted doctor through a friend.
“Within five minutes, Mary-Louise Parker had me an appointment for the following week,” she said gratefully. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer, often caused by sun exposure. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, it typically appears on fair skin in areas such as the head and neck but can affect people of all skin tones and appear anywhere on the body.
Preston said she underwent a Mohs surgery, a precise procedure used to remove layers of cancerous skin while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. Now in recovery, she wears silicone scar strips to assist with healing, but she’s putting her own creative spin on it.
“If I’m going to wear something on my face, I’m going to make it fashion,” Preston joked. “So I went and got some jewels! And once you get into the face jewelry thing, it’s a thing.” Laughing, she added, “I’m basically wearing what the kids wear to raves, on my face!”
Her candid discussion offered both humor and hope, as Preston continues to heal and raise awareness about skin cancer while embracing her personal style — and the strength of sisterhood — along the way.