If you have melanoma, treatment can destroy or remove cancer. Finishing your treatment is stressful and can be exciting as well. Chevy Chase moles/nevi specialists explain that you feel a welcome relief for having completed your treatment. However, it gets harder not to worry about cancer coming back or growing. A recurrence is common especially if you had cancer before.
For other people, cancer may disappear completely. These people often get regular immunotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and other kinds of treatments to keep cancer under control. It’s important you know how to live with cancer that doesn’t go away because it is stressful and comes with a level of uncertainty.
Going for Follow-ups After Melanoma Treatment
Even after you have finished your treatment, doctors advise that you schedule follow-ups to enable them to monitor you more closely to ensure that, should your melanoma recur, you get appropriate treatment. Often, people with melanoma who have been healed still have a high risk of getting it again. In these visits, the specialists inquire about the problems you experience and do some lab tests and imaging for signs of cancer or to treat side effects.
Some side effects of the treatment can last years after completing your treatment. The doctor asks about any changes you experience or problems you notice.
Tests and Exams
The follow-up schedule includes regular lymph node and skin exams by a doctor. The frequency of the exams depends on the stage of your cancer after getting diagnosed, among other factors. If you had early-stage cancer removed, then you need a physical exam every 6-12 months for a couple of years.
The exams are normal and the specialist can even recommend more frequent or regular exams if there are more moles. If your cancer has spread beyond your skin, you need regular visits every 3-6 months for a couple of years. Afterward, the exams will be less often. Imaging tests like CT scans and ultrasounds are done if your disease is advanced.
Ask for Survivorship Care Plan
Consult your doctor to have your survivorship care plan developed. This plan includes:
Your follow-up tests and exams
A schedule of future tests you will need like screening tests and tests for long-term health problems from the treatment
List of long-term side effects from the treatment including things to watch for
Physical activity and diet suggestions
Keep Copies of Medical Records and Your Health Insurance
Even after completing the treatment, it’s vital that you maintain your insurance as tests and consultation services are costly. You will need it in case your skin cancer recurs. At some point, you may visit a new specialist and you need to present your medical history to acquaint them with your condition. The medical records detail your diagnosis and treatment.
Lowering Risk of Your Melanoma Recurring
In case you have had skin cancer before, there are things you can do to lower the risk of a recurrence. Start by limiting your UV ray exposure and continue to go for routine tests and physical exams to ensure there are no signs that could be diagnosed early and not at a later stage when the cancer is too advanced. Also, adopt a healthy lifestyle by stopping smoking and staying active by doing physical exercises and maintaining a healthy weight.
Coping with melanoma requires extensive care including going for regular tests and exams and taking dietary supplements. You also need to maintain a healthy lifestyle to lower the progression of cancer. Consult your doctor for routine tests and physical exams.
