How frequently do you recommend skin cancer screens in your patients with kidney transplants who are on immunosuppression?

For those with a history of skin cancers prior to transplant would recommend every 6 months. For those with no history of skin cancer I recommend skin checks every 6 months starting 1-2 years after transplant. Those at highest risk are the Latino and Caucasian propulations but even those in the lesser risk groups such as Asian and African Americans should get intermittent skin checks after transplant.

We follow the SUNTRAC guidelines.

For first screening, very high risk (prior history of NMSC)- 6 months post tx. High risk (older, fair-skinned) - 12 months. Medium risk (younger, fair-skinned) - 24 months. Low risk (dark skinned) - 10 years. Retransplants I usually recommend 6-12 months post-transplant.

In older adults with fair skin and obvious signs of sun damage I suggest routine skin cancer screening at least annually and will defer to their local dermatologist if more frequent follow up is needed. I generally do not ask my African American patients or patients under 40 to do this. I am curious to see what others on this forum practice.