Hi Liz,

I'm sorry to hear about your brother's advanced melanoma & that you were also diagnosed with the same cancer at the same time.

Your consultant is correct in that it is highly unlikely that yours has spread - the chances of a spread in a Stage 1b patient are far lower than in a Stage 2 patient. However, in a small number of Stage 1b patients it can - I, unfortunately was one of them. The problem is that they will not routinely scan Stage 1 patients as the risk of radiation from several routine scans far outweighs the minimal chance of finding a spread - it's not due to cost cutting, it's always been the same.

That is why we are told to get to know our body so that we can check it for any moles, lesions, lumps or bumps & bring up any such concerns with our consultants. That's what happened to me - Stage 1b in 1996, found a lump in my groin in 2009 - fine needle aspiration biopsy confirmed melanoma. In those days we had no drug therapy so we weren't monitored by regular scans (as they do now for Stage 3) - in my 14 years as a melanoma patient I've only had 3 scans (I've had triple that amount in 2 years as a pancreatitis patient). 

Melanoma can spread through the lymphatic system to the nodes (and then possibly onwards) or through the blood to organs.

Due to your family history perhaps you could ask for genetic testing. You could also pay privately for a scan, if you can afford it, but I doubt a second opinion on the NHS would agree to arranging a scan. 

My thoughts are with you & your brother,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Hi Liz,

I'm sorry to hear about your brother's advanced melanoma & that you were also diagnosed with the same cancer at the same time.

Your consultant is correct in that it is highly unlikely that yours has spread - the chances of a spread in a Stage 1b patient are far lower than in a Stage 2 patient. However, in a small number of Stage 1b patients it can - I, unfortunately was one of them. The problem is that they will not routinely scan Stage 1 patients as the risk of radiation from several routine scans far outweighs the minimal chance of finding a spread - it's not due to cost cutting, it's always been the same.

That is why we are told to get to know our body so that we can check it for any moles, lesions, lumps or bumps & bring up any such concerns with our consultants. That's what happened to me - Stage 1b in 1996, found a lump in my groin in 2009 - fine needle aspiration biopsy confirmed melanoma. In those days we had no drug therapy so we weren't monitored by regular scans (as they do now for Stage 3) - in my 14 years as a melanoma patient I've only had 3 scans (I've had triple that amount in 2 years as a pancreatitis patient). 

Melanoma can spread through the lymphatic system to the nodes (and then possibly onwards) or through the blood to organs.

Due to your family history perhaps you could ask for genetic testing. You could also pay privately for a scan, if you can afford it, but I doubt a second opinion on the NHS would agree to arranging a scan. 

My thoughts are with you & your brother,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Hi Angie,

Thank you so much for your response. A difficult decision then to have a scan but given my level of worry it may be my best option.  I think I will have a discussion with my GP about it and genetic testing.  

Stay well. 
Kind regards

Liz