Dealing with a melanoma diagnosis and treatment can be overwhelming no matter who you are. When public figures share their experiences with melanoma, it helps raise awareness about this potentially deadly form of skin cancer and reminds you that you’re not alone. Entrepreneur and “Kardashians” star Khloé Kardashian has been open about her skin cancer journey from discovery to recovery.

Everyone who receives a skin cancer diagnosis has a different story. Here’s Khloé Kardashian’s.

Discovery and Diagnosis

The 40-year-old reality TV star’s journey began when she noticed a small bump on her face in 2022. For a few months, she dismissed it as a stubborn pimple. When it didn’t go away, she decided to go to the doctor to have it checked out.

Kardashian’s doctor realized the “zit” was actually cancerous and encouraged her to immediately get a biopsy for melanoma. A biopsy involves removing a small piece of skin tissue for examination under a microscope to detect any signs of cancer. Sharing her story on Instagram, Kardashian wrote, “yes that tiny dot that I thought was a pimple for almost a year,” per Today.

Worryingly, her doctor said that because this type of skin cancer was relatively rare for someone her age, they’d have to determine if the melanoma had spread.

This wasn’t Kardashian’s first bout with melanoma. In another interview, she shared that she had a history with melanoma and that she had surgery to a cancerous mole on her back 20 years earlier.

Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. It develops in the cells that produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. While it’s less common than other types of skin cancer, melanoma is more dangerous because of its ability to spread to other parts of the body if not caught early.

‘This Tiny Speck’

Kardashian’s skin cancer scare highlights the critical importance of early detection in skin cancer cases. The Skin Cancer Foundation emphasizes that when detected early, the five-year survival rate for melanoma is 99 percent.

ABC News reported on Kardashian’s reaction: “I never imagined that this tiny speck would turn into skin cancer,” she said, “and I can’t fathom what could have happened had I not gone to the doctor to get it looked at.”

She went on to highlight the importance of keeping an eye on your skin: “Paying attention to our skin and changes in our skin and our body, no matter how small, is so important.”

Even small changes in the color or size of a mole, an asymmetrical shape, or an unusual border are good reasons to go straight to your dermatologist. Regular skin cancer checks are the key to catching tumors early.

‘I Like This Side of My Face Better Anyway’

Going into surgery, Kardashian’s doctor didn’t know how much of her cheek would be affected when they removed the tumor, but she tried her best to remain positive. According to Today, she was even joking about it: “I like this side of my face better anyway,” she said.

The successful operation to remove the tumor from Kardashian’s cheek left her with stitches inside her mouth and large bandages on her face. This kept the incision area safe, but also made it difficult to speak. Her doctors performed labs on the removed tumor to determine the stage of the melanoma and whether further surgery would be necessary. Thankfully, results showed that the tissue surrounding the tumor were free of cancer cells.

Healing Process and Promoting Awareness

Kardashian continued to wear bandages for months, even to high-profile events, to prevent her scar from stretching. In addition, Kardashian had laser treatments performed on her scar to help it heal. Once she received approval from her doctor nine months later, she got facial fillers that she hoped would fill the indentation that the biopsy left on her cheek so that her face could retain its natural shape.

Despite her facial scar, Kardashian has emphasized how lucky she was to receive her diagnosis before the melanoma had the chance to spread. Her experience has also made her an advocate for skin cancer awareness, and she has used her social media platforms to encourage others to be proactive about their health.

A Familiar Face, a Familiar Story

Kardashian’s experience with melanoma serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of skin care and regular check-ups. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and the American Cancer Society estimates that over 100,000 new cases will be diagnosed in 2024.

The reality star's openness about her experience has also helped to destigmatize skin cancer and encourage others to be proactive about their health. By sharing her journey, from initial discovery to treatment and recovery, Kardashian has put a familiar face to a health issue that affects millions.

‘No One Is Exempt’

Kardashian’s story reminds us that skin cancer can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, gender, or lifestyle. Despite being diligent about sunscreen use, Kardashian still developed melanoma: “I am someone who wears sunscreen every single day, religiously, so no one is exempt from these things,” Kardashian said in an interview in People. “Please take this seriously and do regular self-exams as well as your annual checkups."

Cleveland Clinic notes that sun protection is about more than just applying sunscreen with SPF: It should also include wearing protective clothing and avoiding extended sun exposure.

Kardashian waited months before getting the bump on her cheek biopsied. Even though everything turned out well in her case, earlier intervention is always better when it comes to skin cancer. Be sure to get your skin checked regularly, and take note of any new or changing growths.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyMelanomaTeam is the social network for people with melanoma and their loved ones. On MyMelanomaTeam, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with melanoma.

Can you relate to Khloé Kardashian’s diagnosis experience? Are there other celebrities whose melanoma stories you find inspiring? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.