after skin cancer - now what?

• has finished and is recovering from their active cancer treatment
• is on maintenance therapy
• is having ongoing treatment for cancer that is stable and slow growing
• is on active surveillance
• is in remission or “ned” – having no evidence of disease

• fatigue
• memory and concentration changes
• pain
• nervous system changes
• lymphedema or swelling
• mouth and teeth problems
• changes in weight and eating habits
• trouble swallowing
• bladder or bowel control problems
• menopause symptoms

• people expect you to bounce back to who you were before cancer. the reality is, you’re likely not physically or emotionally who you were before cancer and are no longer able to do all the things you once did. you may be able to one day – but this might take months or years. it’s important to be patient and to be open and honest with others about what you can and cannot do.
• you still need the support of friends and family. this doesn’t sound like it should be an issue, but often survivors feel guilty about asking for support when they are recovering or in remission. it’s common to feel that others have already done so much and to feel guilty for asking for more help. in most cases, however, keeping loved ones involved in your recovery and your life after cancer continues to make everyone stronger.
• you expect more from your loved ones than you receive. your family and friends may disappoint you, which can be frustrating. the attention you received during treatment may have lessened since the ending of your active treatment. be open and honest with loved ones about how you are feeling, and ask for support and help when you need it.
• understanding the dynamics of survivorship relationships. at the same time that you are physically and emotionally recovering from the roller coaster of melanoma, your family is also adjusting. loved ones are still coping with the stress and changes that the cancer journey took everyone on. they too need time to understand what they went through, and what support they may need as caregivers. it may be hard for family and friends to express feelings or know how to talk about what each person went through. it’s important to ask for help from a professional if your family or friends feel they need outside support. ask your doctor to refer you to a counselor or expert on family concerns after cancer.

• any emotions that you are experiencing such as depression, sadness, or anxiety
• any symptoms that you think may be a sign that your cancer has returned
• any pain
• any physical problems that interfere with daily life, such as fatigue; difficulty with your bladder, bowel, or sexual function; difficulty concentrating; memory changes; trouble sleeping; and weight gain or loss
• any medicines, vitamins, herbs, or other treatments you may be using
• any changes in your family medical history, including any new cancers

• what treatments and drugs have i been given?
• how often should i have a routine checkup?
• which doctor should i see for my follow-up cancer care?
• what are the chances that my melanoma will come back or that i will get another type of cancer?
• what follow-up tests, if any, should i have?
• how often will i need these tests?
• what signs and symptoms should i watch for?
• if i notice any symptoms, whom should i contact?
• what are the common long term and late effects of the treatment i received?
• what should i do to maintain my health and well-being?
• what long term physical changes should i expect from the treatment i received?
• what emotional changes can i expect now that i have concluded treatment?

• your specific cancer diagnosis (what type of cancer and stage)
• date(s) of cancer diagnosis
• results of any diagnostic test(s)
• details of all cancer treatments, including locations and dates where treatment was received, names and doses of drugs, and types and dates of surgeries
• contact information for all doctors and other health care professionals involved in your care
• side effects and complications that occurred during and after treatment
• medications received for any side effects – i.e. medication for pain, nausea, emotional support and nutritional supplements
• identifying number and title of clinical trial (if you participated in a clinical trial)

stage 0 : your doctor will examine your skin every year, but you should self-examine once a month.

stage ia : your doctor will see you every three to twelve months for five years, and once a year after that. you should self-examine your skin once a month.

stage ib, iia, iib, iic : your doctor will see you every three to six months for two years, then every three to twelves months for two more years, and once a year after that. you should self-examine your skin once a month.

stage iiia, iiib, iiic : your doctor will see you every three months for the first year, every four months in the second year, every six months for the next three years, and once a year after that. you should self-examine your skin once a month.

for more resources about financial issues after cancer, please click here

it is natural for changes in your medical status to strain your relationships with friends and family. your general perspective has probably altered considerably, making it difficult for you to relate to those around you. your friends and family might not know how to treat you during your recovery, or assume that you’re back to your healthy and energetic self, which you might not be yet. in contrast, they might be overprotective of you, when you’re looking for independence in your recovery. ask your family and friends to be patient with you, and share your feelings. be honest about what you feel up to doing; their behaviour towards you will not change unless you tell them what you need, and your relationship may become stronger as a result. if you find yourself unable to talk about your experience with cancer to friends and family, it might be helpful to look into a support group, such as the one run by save your skin . speaking to other cancer survivors about your shared experience may help to alleviate any resentment you have towards other people in your life for not being able to relate to this experience.