Andy Cohen Battles Coronavirus but Also Had a Skin Cancer Scare Some Years Ago

"Watch What Happens Live" host, Andy Cohen, who had a skin cancer diagnosis in 2016, recently revealed he tested positive to the COVID-19 virus and has been on self-quarantine ever since.

During an appearance alongside Kelly Ripa on "Live with Kelly," Andy Cohen talked about how he had a melanoma on his lip and how he got to know about it thanks to his friend Kelly pointing it out.

The 48-year-old tv host began the startling revelation about his health casually by first giving Kelly Ripa a shout out for noticing the abnormal mark on his lip and urging him to get it checked out.

Andy Cohen explained that he didn't get it checked right away, but that Kelly and her husband Mark Consuelos, kept on insisting that he go to a dermatologist. Andy said on the show:

"Finally, I did, and it was melanoma, and they removed it and the whole thing, and I just want to thank you because you were so dogmatic."

Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It is rare but more dangerous than basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers because it has a higher probability of spreading to other parts of the body if not treated early.

Overexposure to the sun's ultraviolet radiation or tanning lamps significantly predisposes a person to the risk of developing melanoma.

Since the successful surgery, Andy says he has been "extra careful" about the amount of time he spends exposed to the sunlight. He also revealed that he visits his dermatologist every six months for a full body check for skin cancer.

Andy Cohen's Cancer scare isn't the only example of celebrities who have had such a condition. Other stars who have had to deal with melanoma include Ewan McGregor, Michelle Monaghan, William H. Macy, Melanie Griffith, John McCain, etc.

ANDY'S SPECIAL FRIENDSHIP WITH KELLY RIPA

Andy Cohen and Kelly Ripa have been friends for a while now, and that friendship extends beyond just being personal to family friends.

When Kelly got asked by Variety to write a tribute to the host of Bravo's "Watch What Happens Live" in a special issue, the mother of three had only the best words for her friend.

She recalled how she first met Andy at a Christmas party with her husband, Mark. Kelly also detailed how impressed she was with the way Andy combines all his work responsibilities, seamlessly transitioning between them without losing himself. Kelly ended the tribute writing:

"Nobody has their finger on the pulse of everything the way Andy does. There's simply nobody better."

It is quite evident that the pair share a remarkable friendship, and over the years, the two make sure they are there for each other.

ANDY COHEN'S BABY BOY

In December 2018, Andy told his fans some exciting news during an episode of his Bravo show — he was going to be a father.

The 50-year-old on-air personality explained to fans that after much deliberation and prayers, he had decided to take the beautiful step into fatherhood through a surrogate.

He further expressed how family means a lot to him, and even though he had waited so long, he is genuinely overjoyed by this next phase of his life.

Six weeks later, Andy Cohen's baby boy was born, and the excited father took to his Instagram page to share the news with his fans. Andy shared a picture of himself holding his newborn son to his chest and wrote:

"WOW! This is my son, Benjamin Allen Cohen. He is 9 lbs 2 ounces !! 20 inches !! Born at 6:35 pm, PT. He is named after my grandfather Ben Allen. I'm in love. And speechless. And eternally grateful to an incredible surrogate. And I'm a dad. Wow."

Kelly Ripa also expressed her joy during an episode of "Live With Kelly & Ryan," while talking to co-host Ryan Seacrest.

Tearing up at some point, the mother of three recalled how Andy has been so fantastic to her family — describing him as a "surrogate dad" to her kids — Michael, 21, Lola, 17, and Joaquin, 15 — with husband, Mark Consuelos. In her words:

"I'm getting emotional. He is a great, great family man. And I am so so happy and thrilled for you both…"

Later that year, Ripa sensationally admitted that Andy Cohen's baby had got her thinking about having another baby.

ANDY COHEN TEST POSITIVE TO CORONAVIRUS

Barely a few weeks after celebrating the first birthday of his son Benjamin Allen Cohen, the father of one took to social media to announce some sad news to his fans — he had contracted the deadly Coronavirus.

Andy is now self-isolating and away from his one-year-old son Ben. During an interview on SiriusXM show, "Jeff Lewis Live," to give an update on his health, Andy revealed to Lewis that the hardest part of his current isolation is being separated from his son. In his words:

"I'll tell you what I know from the nanny cam and from videos because I can't see him, which is the very worst part. But he's great, and his nanny (tested) negative."