Khloe Kardashian has had a tumour removed from her face after doctors told her to have it immediately operated on. Covered in the new series of The Kardashians, the procedure came after a biopsy revealed a melanoma was growing on her cheek.
Melanoma is a form of skin cancer which is mostly caused by exposure to ultraviolet light, which comes from the sun and is used in sunbeds.
After initially thinking it was a spot on her face, Khloe told viewers she had been keeping an eye on it for "seven or eight months".
Explaining the situation to Kylie Jenner, viewers see Khloe say: "I have to get a plastic surgeon to cut the whole thing out. They said that they won't know until they open up my cheek how big they have to cut. I just don't want a big scar on my face."
Khloe and Kylie's mother, Kris, then explains that Khloe has a: "history of melanoma and cancerous legions," so this latest development is "very concerning."
Khloe has previously had an operation to remove melanoma on her back when she was 19 years old and has urged people to be checking their body "all the time".
In a warning, she said: "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 check-ups."
How to spot melanoma
According to the NHS: "A new mole or a change in an existing mole may be signs of melanoma. Melanomas can appear anywhere on your body, but they're more common in areas that are often exposed to the sun."
Normal moles are typically round with smooth edges, while melanomas are often an uneven shape and may have two different shaped halves and uneven edges.
The NHS states that: Normal moles usually do not change over time," while "a mole that changes size, shape or colour may be a melanoma."
Other signs to look out for include moles that are:
- swollen and sore
- bleeding
- itchy
- crusty
Contact your medical provider immediately if you have any of these symptoms.
