Reality TV star Jojo Robinson has shared a deeply personal update, revealing that she is preparing to undergo surgery to remove skin cancer.
The Real Housewives of Durban star took to social media to give fans a glimpse of her back before the procedure, showing what her tattoo currently looks like, with parts of it removed.
Jojo revealed that she has been diagnosed with invasive skin cancer and will be having multiple areas removed during the operation.
“The last day my back tattoo will look like this. Tomorrow is surgery day where we remove the multiple skin cancers on my back, currently 6 all together. Unfortunately, with skin cancer like mine, large areas are cut out, which in general would be okay, but for someone that has spent over 30 plus hours of pain and time to build up a back piece, it’s a double blow.”
She explained that the surgery will significantly affect her tattoo, something she admits has been difficult to process.
“Large sections of the tattoo will be removed and I have no idea what that’s going to look like. But as someone told me here on my insta fam, ‘what is the core behind tattoos. It’s your story told on the outside’, so essentially this is just the next phase of that story.”
Mzansi social media users have since rallied around her, sending messages of support and strength as she prepares for the procedure.
Jojo also took a moment to clear up a common misconception, addressing rumours linking tattoos to skin cancer.
“Skin cancer is not linked to tattoos. It’s genetic my mom has it and she has no tattoos. It is also from UV exposure and the type of skin I have.”
She noted that while tattoos do not cause skin cancer, the challenge comes with how surgery can impact existing artwork on the skin.
Before heading into surgery, Jojo shared an emotional farewell to her back tattoo, which was created alongside tattoo artist Mike Artura, describing it as a meaningful piece that took hours to complete.
“For today I’m just gonna say goodbye to my back that Mike Artura created with me and that we spent hours together on. We’ll fix her up in time. I loved her as she is and I wouldn’t change a thing. I wore it proudly for the years it looked like this.”
Despite the emotional weight of the situation, Jojo says she is choosing to focus on her health and take things one step at a time.
“Life carries on and we deal with these things as they come. Also, I’m sorry I’ve been quiet. I’ve been sad.”
As she heads into surgery, fans across Mzansi continue to show support, standing with her as she faces this next chapter.
