After Treatment for Basal Cell Carcinoma

Staying prepared and organized

Even if you’ve completed treatment, it’s very important to stay organized and on top of your health. Keeping your records and health insurance coverage in order makes it easier to manage your follow-up care, future checkups, and any new concerns that might come up.

Keep your health insurance

It’s very important to keep health insurance as a basal cell skin cancer survivor. Insurance can help cover the cost of follow-up visits, tests, and any care you might need in the future. No one wants to think about their cancer coming back, but it’s best to be prepared.

Save your medical records

At some point, you might see a new doctor who doesn’t know your cancer history. Keep copies of your medical records or have access to them so you can easily share the details of your diagnosis and treatment when needed.

Can I lower my risk of the cancer coming back or getting new skin cancers?

There are steps you can take that might lower your risk of skin cancer coming back or of getting a new skin cancer.

Protect yourself from the sun and watch your skin for changes

People who have had basal cell skin cancer are at higher risk for developing another skin cancer. Because of this, it’s important to limit your exposure to UV rays from the sun or tanning beds and to examine your skin every month for signs of possible new skin cancers.

Seeing your doctor regularly for skin exams is also important. Skin cancers that are found early are typically much easier to treat than those found at a later stage.

Adopt other healthy behaviors

Adopting other healthy behaviors such as eating well, being active, and staying at a healthy weight might help as well, but no one knows for sure. However, we do know that these types of changes can have positive effects on your health, including lowering your risk for many other types of cancer, as well as other diseases.

About dietary supplements

So far, no dietary supplements have been shown to clearly help lower the risk of skin cancer progressing or coming back. This includes vitamins, minerals, and herbal products. This doesn’t mean that no supplements will help. But it’s important to know that none have been proven to do so.

In the United States, dietary supplements aren’t regulated like medicines. They don’t have to be proven effective or even safe before being sold, although there are limits on what they’re allowed to claim they can do.

Talk to your healthcare team before taking any type of nutritional supplement. They can help you decide which ones are safe and which ones might be harmful.

If the cancer comes back

If basal cell cancer does come back at some point, your treatment options will depend on where the cancer is, what treatments you’ve had before, your overall health, and other factors.

If the cancer comes back just on your skin, options might include surgery, radiation therapy, or other types of local treatments.

If the cancer comes back in another part of your body, other treatments such as targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or chemotherapy might be needed.

For more general information on dealing with a recurrence, see Understanding Recurrence.

Getting emotional support

It’s normal to feel depressed, anxious, or worried when cancer is a part of your life. Some people are affected more than others, but everyone can benefit from help and support, whether this is from friends and family, religious groups, support groups, professional counselors, or others.

Learn more in Life After Cancer.