Vinnie Jones says he had three operations for skin cancer this year

LONDON, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- British soccer pro-turned-actor Vinnie Jones has revealed he was treated for skin cancer this year.

Jones, 48, noticed a small blemish below his eye last February and upon visiting his doctor learned it was melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, the BBC reported Sunday, adding the celebrity had two operations to remove tumors from his face and one to take out a tumor on the back of his head.

"When the doctor said I had skin cancer, the first thing I thought was, 'How long have I got?'" Jones told the Sun newspaper.

"It's weighing very heavily on me all the time. Footballers never put on sunblock and they should all be wearing it. ... Kids should all be wearing it every time they play sport. If you spot something on your skin that doesn't feel right ... get it checked out immediately."

He went on to say he is determined to fight the disease with "everything I've got."

Jones' film credits include "X-Men: The Last Stand" and "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels."