Michelle Monaghan is one of the lucky ones.
In an interview with the November issue of Health, the 35-year-old Machine Gun Preacher actress opens up about her her brief brush with skin cancer.
"A few years ago I had a mole on the back of my calf, and [my husband Peter White] was adamant that I get it checked," she recalls. "In Australia, they're very aware of skin cancer. I finally went and it was skin cancer. I had quite the chunk taken out of my leg. I'm so grateful he noticed it."
Currently cancer free, Monaghan jokes that her husband "has a keen eye" and wonders "what other imperfections he's noticing!"
The actress, who also starred opposite Jake Gyllenhaal in this year's Source Code, is also grateful to be a non-smoker.
"I smoked for almost 10 years. I really regret that," she admits. "Thankfully, I came out on the other side. I hope my lungs are repairing themselves now."