--- title: "\"Of all possible places, it chose the face\": director Alexey Komarovsky on how skin cancer changed his life" description: "Ukrainian film producer Alexey Komarovsky discussed how he discovered facial skin cancer, underwent three surgeries, and continues to work. He urged people to get regular check-ups." date: 2026-11-05T16:27:01.548Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/komarovskiy-skin-cancer-changed-life tags: [alexey-komarovskiy, skin-cancer, ukrainian-cinema, health, interview] author: "Inna Kinsheva" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # "Of all possible places, it chose the face": director Alexey Komarovsky on how skin cancer changed his life ![Ukrainian director Alexey Komarovsky during an interview about his skin cancer battle](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/05/komarovskiy-rak-kogi-izmenil-zhizn/komarovskiy-rak-kogi-izmenil-zhizn-1.webp) ## Key Points - Alexey Komarovsky went for a check-up at his friend's insistence and learned about skin cancer on his face - The director has undergone three surgeries and continues to work while awaiting repeat histology results - He banned tanning and ultraviolet exposure for himself and explained his openness as a desire to encourage others to get screened Ukrainian film producer and director Alexey Komarovsky opened up in an interview about how he learned of his cancer diagnosis and how the news reshaped his attitude toward time, work, and daily habits. According to him, a friend persuaded him to get checked: "My friend just forced me. It was a free day, I decided, let's go. In a good mood. I arrived in the city center on a scooter. And at the clinic, they told me directly." At the time of the recording, Komarovsky clarified that he was undergoing a repeat histology to determine the form and aggressiveness of the disease, and he refrained from stating final conclusions about the diagnosis. ### Ban on sun and the decision to speak openly The director admitted that after the diagnosis, he reviewed several habits: "There is already an action plan, there are already concrete processes, and I have forbidden myself certain things: ultraviolet rays and tanning. I loved tanning, I loved the sun. That's a forbidden thing for me now." The emotional blow was particularly severe, he said, because the tumor was on his face. However, Komarovsky consciously decided not to hide his diagnosis: "I was inspired by the fact that I can just talk to people about it one more time, using my own example: go and get checked. I can't hide it. And I don't need to invent something for people every time." ### Work, inspiration, and a "magical kick" Despite the seriousness of the diagnosis, Komarovsky emphasizes that his daily activity and performance have not suffered: "It's not the kind of disease that drains your energy at this stage, God forbid. I am energetic. It could have broken me mentally, but I didn't let it kill me and pulled myself together. I'm working, I even have more inspiration! I tell you, there's even more value to time and more drive now." Describing his feelings after the shock, he used a vivid metaphor: "It's like a magical kick. God, what a kick it is. Incredible." The producer also reported that there had been cases of cancer in his family, but he did not disclose details; his relatives, he said, reacted calmly to the news and supported him. ### Timeline: from Instagram post to third surgery Komarovsky publicly announced his skin cancer on October 18 via Instagram, writing that the tumor was on his face and doctors recommended urgent surgery: "Of all possible places, it chose the face. And the most insidious part — it's almost invisible. But it's there. And it needs to be operated on urgently." On October 22, the director reported that he had already undergone his third surgery. At the time of the interview in early November 2026, he remains under observation and is awaiting the results of a repeat histology, which will determine further treatment tactics. ### Context: why publicizing a diagnosis is important Komarovsky's case once again highlights the importance of early diagnosis of oncological diseases, specifically melanoma and basal cell carcinoma, which often go unnoticed in the initial stages. The director himself emphasizes that regular check-ups and paying attention to skin changes can save lives. His story is an example of how a public figure can use personal experience to increase oncological awareness in society, not by hiding the diagnosis or turning it into a topic of gossip, but by turning it into a practical call: "go and get checked." ## Fact-Check & Sources - ["Некоторые вещи себе запретил". Режиссер Комаровский рассказал, как рак кожи изменил его жизнь](https://wave.rbc.ua/ukr/stars/pevni-rechi-sobi-zaboroniv-rezhiser-komarovskiy-1793894062.html) - Primary source: direct interview with Komarovsky himself. Dates of public announcements (October 18 and 22) and the content of quotes are taken from the text. The repeat histology and third surgery were confirmed by the protagonist himself. ## FAQ ### What diagnosis was Alexey Komarovsky given? Komarovsky reported skin cancer located on his face. At the time of the interview, he was undergoing repeat histology to specify the form and aggressiveness of the disease and did not provide a final histological verdict. ### How many surgeries has the director undergone? On October 22, 2026, Komarovsky announced on Instagram that he had already undergone his third surgery. ### Does the diagnosis affect Komarovsky's work? According to the director himself, no: he continues to work, feels energetic, and says that the experience has given him more inspiration and an awareness of the value of time. ### Why did Komarovsky decide to tell the public about his illness? He explained that he cannot hide the tumor on his face and wants to use his personal example to encourage other people to undergo regular screenings.