BCC Surveillance — SCE Dermatology MCQ
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Correct answer: C — Annual skin surveillance is recommended as the risk of developing further BCCs is approximately 30-50% within 3 years of the first
The correct answer is C, annual skin surveillance is recommended as the risk of developing further BCCs is approximately 30-50% within 3 years of the first, because recurrent BCC formation is common and predictable, not a random event. This patient's pattern of five BCCs in three years places him firmly in the high-risk group for whom the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) 2021 guideline advises structured long-term follow-up. The rationale is early detection: annual review allows new lesions to be identified while small, enabling simpler excision and better cosmetic and functional outcomes, particularly important given the tendency of multiple BCCs to cluster on sun-exposed sites such as the face. This surveillance also provides the opportunity to reinforce sun protection advice and skin self-examination, both of which reduce cumulative UV-driven carcinogenesis.
Reference: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/conditions-and-diseases/skin-conditions