Billings underwent two operations late last year to remove a malignant melanoma on his chest, diagnosed following routine screening at his county Kent and subsequent medical appointments
Sam Billings has urged cricketers and supporters to educate themselves further on the dangers of the sun after revealing he has had treatment for skin cancer.
Billings underwent two operations late last year to remove a malignant melanoma on his chest, diagnosed following routine screening at his county Kent and subsequent medical appointments.
A five-inch strip was removed under local anaesthetic.
"I had a melanoma that was 0.6mm [deep]. 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," he told the Telegraph. "The margins are so small but can have massive consequences.
Sam Billings goes on the attack for England against India [Getty Images]
"It did give me the clarity of making decisions based on what I want to do rather than maybe just toeing the line and being seen to do the right thing.
"I have tried to do that over the years and it’s sometimes resulted in carrying drinks. You realise that cricket isn’t the be all and end all. It’s hugely important but you need to put things in perspective. It’s also made me much more empathetic."
It is an experience which has given Billings motivation to warn his peers and fans of the summer game of the pitfalls of spending time under the sun.
"I'm not just talking about the pro game. It's club cricketers, people who watch the game. I played at Lord's recently and the sun was out, even if it wasn't 25 degrees. It might only have been 18 but you can still get sunburnt.
Sam Billings, left, in conversation with Chris Jordan [Getty Images]
"We treat it [applying suncream] like a bit of a chore, because the education around it isn't as good as in countries like Australia. I'd like to see everyone in cricket working together: the sun is out, so let's protect ourselves."
Billings' screening at Kent, which helped him first identify his cancer, was underwritten by the Professional Cricketers' Trust - the charity arm of the Professional Cricketers' Association.
The PCA has recently teamed up with Lifejacket, a company specialising in skincare protection and awareness, to offer products and support to cricketers.
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