Khloe Kardashian is using her platform to bring awareness to the severity of skin cancer.
The 39-year-old reality star recently revealed the emotional and physical toll her skin cancer scare has had, including a large indent left in her cheek after undergoing a successful melanoma removal surgery in October 2022.
"For those who do not know I had a skin cancer scare on my face," Khloe shared in an intimate Instagram post, adding, "We had to remove a tumor from my cheek, I was left with an indention. I am definitely not complaining because I would rather have an indention than melanoma any day."
Khloe shared the entire experience on The Kardashians, giving fans an inside look at her medical journey. Thankfully, the surgery was a success. Surgeons managed to "get everything" and she is now "clear" of skin cancer.
She had been waiting "patiently" for nearly a year before deciding to take the next steps in treating the indention. After receiving the all-clear from her medical team, she is now proceeding with cosmetic injections to restore her cheek's appearance.
"I waited for over nine months to get this filled by the way," Khloe said. "Patience is everything and of course we have to make sure medically everything is all safe."
Khloe elaborated that the cosmetic filler isn't a permanent fix but a maintenance routine she will have to continually follow. "I look insane in these pics but I’m just happy that my face is slowly coming back together ha," she added light-heartedly.
The reality star also took the opportunity to express her gratitude to her Beverly Hills surgeon, Dr. Garth Fisher. "Not only did he remove the tumor and made sure that I am completely cancer-free, but he did such a f***ing stellar job on making my scar as small and beautiful as possible," she said, praising the doctor's skill and care.
But Khloe didn't stop at sharing her personal journey; she also utilized her massive platform to encourage her followers to take proactive steps in skin cancer prevention. "I never imagined that this tiny speck would turn into skin cancer and I can’t fathom what could have possibly happened had I not gone to the doctor to get it looked at," she warned.
This isn't the first time Khloe has had a run-in with skin cancer; she previously had a melanoma removed from her back when she was just 19.
"At 19 years old, I had melanoma on my back, and I had a surgery to remove that as well, so I am predisposed to melanomas. Even those who are not, we should be checking all the time," she advised.
"I am someone who wears sunscreen every single day, religiously so no one is exempt from these things. Please take this seriously and do regular self-exams as well as your annual checkups."
In a society where celebrity influence can make or break trends, Khloe Kardashian's openness about her skin cancer scare serves as a critical public service announcement. Her message is loud and clear: skin cancer is not to be taken lightly, and regular check-ups are a must.