What should you know about surviving melanoma?

Follow-up is shaped by the original melanoma, its stage, treatment, and your personal risk. Appointments may include a scar check, a full skin examination, and assessment of nearby lymph nodes. Some people need imaging or additional treatment; others mainly need observation. A history of melanoma increases the value of knowing your own skin pattern and asking someone to check hard-to-see areas. Fear of recurrence, altered body image, fatigue, and treatment effects are also valid survivorship concerns.

Keep every planned appointment and retain your pathology and treatment information. Examine the scar and the rest of your skin regularly in good light, using a mirror or a trusted helper for the back, scalp, and other difficult areas. Report a new or changing mole, a firm lump, persistent bleeding, or a non-healing spot. Use shade, clothing, and broad-spectrum sunscreen as part of ultraviolet protection. Do not apply a new supplement or stop prescribed therapy without discussing it with your oncology team. Follow-up after cancer treatment can help organise this care.

Contact your care team promptly for a new lump near the scar or in a lymph-node region, a changing skin lesion, unexplained bleeding, or persistent pain. New severe headache, weakness, confusion, seizures, vision change, chest symptoms, or breathlessness needs urgent medical assessment. These symptoms have many possible causes, but after melanoma they should not be self-diagnosed or left until the next routine visit.

What was my melanoma stage and pathology result? How often should I attend follow-up? Which skin changes or symptoms should I report immediately? Do I need imaging or further treatment? How can I manage treatment effects, anxiety, work, exercise, and sun protection?