Diane Keaton’s carcinoma history — what we know (and what it means)

Diane Keaton has spoken candidly over the years about her experience with skin cancer. Below I’ve pulled together a clear, sourced timeline of what she’s said, a brief medical explainer of the two carcinoma types she had, and practical takeaways about prevention and follow-up.

Quick summary

• Diane Keaton told the Los Angeles Times she was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma in her early 20s.
• Decades later she was treated for squamous cell carcinoma, which - according to Keaton’s comments reported by the LA Times - was removed in surgeries (reported as two surgeries).
• She has described a family history of skin cancer (father, brother, an aunt) and has been outspoken about sun protection since then.

The timeline and Diane Keaton’s own words

In a 2015 Los Angeles Times feature, Keaton spoke about her skin-cancer history: she was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma when she was about 21, and later in life developed squamous cell disease that required surgical removal (the article notes the later lesion was removed in two surgeries). She used the opportunity to stress suncare, saying she now carries sunscreen and wears hats, and pointing out a family history of skin cancer.

Multiple entertainment outlets repeating the LA Times reporting have likewise summarized her statements the same way (basal cell in her 20s, later squamous cell treated surgically). Those articles cite the same LA Times interview as their source.

Medical explainer - basal cell vs squamous cell carcinoma (short and practical)

Both basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are non-melanoma skin cancers. Here are the essentials (NHS / Mayo Clinic summary):

• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)

  • Most common form of skin cancer; typically slow-growing and very unlikely to spread (metastasise).
  • Often appears as a pearly bump, waxy patch, or scaly red patch on sun-exposed skin.
  • Treatment: excision, sometimes topical treatments, cryotherapy, or Mohs surgery depending on location/size. Prognosis is excellent when treated early.

• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)

  • Second most common non-melanoma skin cancer; more likely than BCC to grow more quickly and rarely to spread to lymph nodes if untreated.
  • Often appears as a firm pink lump or scaly, crusted patch, sometimes tender or bleeding.
  • Treatment: surgery is usually first-line (excision, Mohs or similar). Prognosis is very good when detected and removed early; some higher-risk SCCs require more extensive management.

(If you want a lay-friendly deep dive on symptoms, diagnosis and typical treatments, the NHS and Mayo Clinic pages are excellent starting points.)

What the public record does - and doesn’t - say

• Do reputable sources say Keaton had skin cancer? Yes. The LA Times piece (2015) is the primary longform source where Keaton discusses her basal cell diagnosis in her 20s and a later squamous cell that required surgical removal; subsequent entertainment coverage has summarized that reporting.
• Do sources give clinical details, staging, or current status? No. Public reporting focuses on the diagnoses and the fact she had operations; detailed pathology, staging or long-term follow-up data are private medical information and not published. News articles don’t (and ethically shouldn’t) speculate about specifics beyond what she shared.

Diane Keaton’s prevention message (her lived takeaways)

Keaton has repeatedly emphasized sun protection in interviews since her diagnoses: hats, regular sunscreen, and routine skin checks. She described starting suncare later in life and urged people not to repeat that neglect. This is consistent with public-health guidance that UV exposure is the main preventable risk factor for BCC and SCC.

What this means for readers (practical takeaways)

1. If you notice a new/ changing spot on sun-exposed skin - see a clinician. Early removal leads to excellent outcomes for BCC and SCC.
2. Sun protection matters. Regular sunscreen, hats, and avoiding peak sun reduce risk. Keaton’s story is a reminder that even those who seemed to have low risk can develop non-melanoma skin cancers.
3. Family history and prior skin cancer increase vigilance. Keaton reported relatives with skin cancer; both prior lesions and a family history are reasons for regular skin checks.

Final note

Public reporting about Diane Keaton’s carcinoma history is focused and limited: basal cell carcinoma in her early 20s and a later squamous cell lesion that was surgically removed, plus a consistent, public message about sun protection. Medical specifics beyond that (detailed pathology, staging, etc.) are private and not in the public record.