I had stage 2 melanoma on my first review they discovered another melanoma, but this time it was only in situ. I am over due my review as I just can't bring myself to go .its supposed to be every 3 months for next 3 years, is this necessary?
I'm sorry to hear that you've previously had treatment for melanoma and that at your first review, another in situ melanoma was identified by the specialist. It's understandable that you may be feeling anxious about attending another review.
Many people find their checkups quite worrying. A hospital appointment can bring back any anxiety you had about your cancer. But some people find these appointments reassuring.
It can help to tell someone close to you how you’re feeling. Sharing your worries can mean they don’t seem so overwhelming. Many people find it helpful to have counselling after cancer treatment. Talk to your doctor or nurse to help set this up.
Our information page about follow-up for melanoma talks about how often you may be advised to have checkups. The importance of check-ups is to catch any further skin changes at the earliest opportunity as this makes treatment easier and can give patients the best outcomes. But it is understandable that these check-ups can also cause anxiety. Do you have someone that you can talk with about how you're feeling and who could attend appointments with you for support?
If you'd like to talk things through with one of our nurses you're welcome to call them on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. I'm sure they will be happy to offer any advice, information, and support they can.
Can I just point out that, had you not had your first review, you would not have known you had another melanoma and it would not have been caught quickly enough before it grew. That is why these regular checks are important. It also means you get used to what they look out for and you can then check yourself in between appointments. I know it's stressful going to appointments but they do catch things early and it means you don't have to have more invasive surgery and drug treatment in the future. So please arrange your next review. Hopefully it will all be fine and you will have peace of mind. Those 3 years will actually pass quickly.
Thankyou for your kind words, I will make an appointment for a check up. When I was diagnosed it never seemed to worry me as I thought it's only skin cancer and they just cut it away and that's that. But I just knew very little about melonoma it was not until my review that I thought this is more serious than I realized. Hopefully this time if everything is fine it will stop me feeling this way.
