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Is Rachel Maddow OK? MSNBC host opens up about skin cancer mole that needed surgery

The popular anchor was off the air for a few days, tells viewers 'you should get checked', internet lauds her 'bravery'

MSNBC viewers might have been surprised to know Rachel Maddow was not on air for the past few days. It turns out the anchor had a very good reason - she had skin cancer. Returning to her program 'The Rachel Maddow Show' on October 6, the host opened up about her health scare and urged viewers to get checked. The revelation quickly made its way to social media, with many viewers lauding Maddow's "bravery" for being so candid.

Maddow's stunning revelation comes just a day after composer John Tesh revealed his cancer had returned in October 2020, a fight he has successfully won. On October 4, many people trolled Florida Governor Ron DeSantis after he revealed his wife had breast cancer, leading to widespread condemnation. In early September, 'Nomadland' actress Melissa Yandell Smith lost her battle to cancer, with the family revealing her passing only weeks later. 

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Maddow has been off the air for a few days now but returned to take her spot on October 6. She took a few minutes during her show that day to open up about the cancer diagnosis, and the key role of her partner Susan Mikula in the process. She ended the announcement with a key message for all her viewers, saying, "you do need to get this stuff checked at the doctor. Do not blow it off."

Is Rachel Maddow ok?

Thankfully, it appears as if the diagnosis is not a big worry for Maddow. "I'm good. I have clear margins, the whole thing," she said. Maddow added, "I am going to be absolutely fine. I'm going to be totally fine." It could have been a lot worse though, had her partner not been so eagle-eyed. A couple of months ago, Susan noticed a mole on Maddow's neck had changed. "She was quite determined about it," Maddow said, and after a similar comment from her hairdresser, she decided to get checked.

After a visit to a dermatologist and a biopsy, it was discovered that the mole was cancerous. That discovery led to surgery on Friday, October 1, at NYU Langone. "I had a few days off because I had surgery," she explained, and added, "They're fantastic. They got it, they got all of it." She also credited her partner, saying, "it's only by the grace of Susan that I found mine in enough time that it was totally treatable because I have been blowing off my appointments forever to get stuff like that checked because I've assumed it will always be fine." 

The anchor also acknowledged the band-aid on her neck, before urging viewers to get themselves checked. "Even the skin cancers that are the deadliest skin cancers in the country, those too are way more treatable than they used to be on one condition: that you get them early," she noted. She also added, "You should get checked. If you’ve got moles like I do, just get on a schedule with your doctor. Schedule a check now with your doctor."

Internet lauds 'powerful message'

The revelation quickly became a hot topic on social media, with users praising Maddow's candid revelation. "Such a powerful message by @maddow tonight about her recent encounter with skin cancer and the importance of getting your skin checked regularly. We need to be talking about this more. Thank you for sharing your story Rachel. #skincheck," one person tweeted. Another said, "@maddow thank you for the skin cancer reminder. Please thank Susan for me. Glad you’re ok!"

"Rachel #Maddow's skin cancer story has me in tears. Thank goodness they caught it early! (Good catch, Susan!) #CancerSucks," one user commented. Another said, "Rachel @maddow
with the bravery again. So glad she doesn’t have invasive skin cancer. I get checked every year because so many in my family have had it." One person commented, "Rachel Maddow using her show’s A block to explain her skin cancer diagnosis matters. She took time to take her audience through her circumstantial discovery and medical follow-up. Lives will be saved. Gratitude."

Despite the serious nature of the topic, Maddow smiled throughout the reveal and even threw out a few jokes, including one targeted at the National Inquirer. The whole segment lasted about seven minutes and is now making its way all over the internet as a PSA for skin cancer. For more information on the signs and symptoms of skin cancer, you can visit Mayo Clinic's dedicated website.