Skin cancer diagnoses are at a peak in today’s society. The safety of sunscreen and practicing regular skin protection routines were not as common back then as they are now. Even though new perspective of awareness has arisen, not everyone is in the clear. This is due to a majority of today’s adults spending their childhood unprotected beneath the sun.
Many patients with certain types of skin cancer such as, Squamous Cell Carcinoma or Basal Cell Carcinomas develop a second skin cancer recurrence. Patients who have melanoma have an even more increased risk of developing all other types of skin cancers. While many patients ask their doctor about developing another type or second recurrence of skin cancer, others do not. It is very important to keep routinely visiting with your dermatologist for follow up care.
Recent research with Basal Cell Carcinomas has concluded that depending on the type of procedure performed or treatment conducted can initially affect a patient’s risk for developing BBS or other types of skin cancer again. The research states that recurrence risks for developing BCCs a second time is an estimated 10% after surgical incision and less than 1% after Mohs.
Dermatologists encourage patients to routinely self-exam their skin. UV protection is also strongly advised and any broad spectrum sunscreen will do the trick.