Melanoma
After treatment
Follow-up after melanoma
- After your surgery and/or adjuvant treatment (given after surgery for a set period of time) has ended, you will still need to have regular check-ups. This is called follow-up.
- At first you will be seen by your team every 3-6 months for 1 to 5 years. These check-ups will become less frequent over time, depending on the stage of your melanoma.
- Ask your treating team about your follow-up plan and how often you will have appointments.
What does follow-up involve?
- The follow-up will involve a full skin check, examination of the wound site and lymph nodes and may involve blood tests, X-rays or other scans, such as ultrasound, CT scans or PET scans.
- Some people have long-term drug treatment for melanoma. You will have regular check-ups to assess for side-effects of the treatment and scans to monitor your disease.
- If the cancer is small and only detected on a sentinel lymph node
biopsy, your doctor may recommend ultrasound surveillance. This
means monitoring the lymph nodes with ultrasound scans instead of
removing them straight away. - The best follow-up plan for you will depend on your individual diagnosis, such as the type and stage of your cancer. For example, scans are not always recommended.
Understand your follow-up plan
- Make sure you understand your follow-up plan - ask your team to explain it.
- If you are having scans or other tests, ask when and how you will get the results.
- Ask for a phone number to contact if you have any queries.
Getting the most out of your follow-up
- Ask any questions you have and let your doctor know if you are having any problems.
- Tell them about any new symptoms, aches or pains you have or if you are finding it hard to cope.
- You should also let them know if you notice any skin changes.
- It can help to write down what you want to say beforehand so you don’t forget anything.
- If you are between check-ups and have a symptom or problem that is worrying you, call your specialist nurse for advice or to arrange an earlier outpatient appointment if necessary. If you become suddenly unwell and can’t contact your treating team, go to your GP or the emergency department at the hospital.
Why follow up is important
It’s important to go to your follow-up appointments so your doctor can check for signs of the cancer coming back (recurrence) and help with any side-effects that you may have. They can also check for new side-effects that may develop after you have finished treatment. It is best to be aware of these as early as possible so that suitable treatment can be given.
Life after treatment
The end of treatment is a time when people often expect to feel relieved, happy and able to get on with life again, but it can take some time to adjust and for your body and mind to recover.
We have information to help you with:
- Side-effects
- Your feelings after treatment
- Living a healthy lifestyle
- Financial and practical matters
LACES after-treatment workshop
Join our Life and Cancer – Enhancing Survivorship (LACES) programme when you have finished treatment or started maintenance therapy.
This workshop covers topics such as diet, exercise, wellbeing, finance and self-management and gives information on support and services to help you.
Reduce your risk of further skin cancer
It’s very important to inspect your skin regularly for any changes once your treatment has ended. For example, changes in moles or new lumps. If you find any changes, go to your GP so that they can check them.
Examine the scar site and lymph nodes
- Check the scar on the surgery site when the scar is healed, as part of your regular skin check routine. Watch out for changes such as lumps, bumps or a change of colour.
- You should also check the lymph nodes close to where the tumour was. Feel for any enlarged or hardened lymph nodes and report any changes to your doctor or specialist nurse.
Check your skin
- Examine yourself from head to toe every month.
- Learn the moles, freckles and other skin marks that are normal for you.
- Examine your skin standing in front of a long mirror and use a hand mirror to look at hard-to-see places.
- Check your front, groin and your back.
- Check your sides with your right and left arms raised.
- Bend your elbows and look carefully at your forearms and upper underarms.
- Look at your fingernails and palms.
- Look at the backs of your legs and feet, even the soles and the spaces between your toes.
- Examine the back of your neck and scalp with a hand mirror. Part your hair for a closer look.
- Check your back and buttocks with a mirror.
- Ask a relative or friend to check your back or other hard-to-see areas.
- Take a photograph of your skin every year, especially your back, and compare them. You could email the pictures to yourself, so that you have a back-up in case you change or lose your phone.
- Tell your GP or treating team if you notice something that concerns you.
Check moles
When checking a mole, look for the ABCDE:
A = Asymmetrical (uneven) shape
B = Irregular border
C = Changes in colour
D = Diameter (size)
E = Evolving (growing or changing over time)
Protect your skin
Anyone who has been diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer may have a higher risk of developing another. It is very important to protect your skin from ultraviolet (UV) rays. Learn how to protect your skin using the SunSmart code.
What if the cancer comes back?
Sometimes cancer does come back, even after successful treatment. Cancer cells may remain in your body and grow again, although your doctors do all they can to prevent this.
If the cancer comes back (recurrent cancer) you can still have treatment. Your doctor will discuss your treatment options with you.
Read more about coping with recurrent cancer.
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