Practical Advice on Living With Melanoma

Almost 80,000 cases of melanoma -- the least common but most dangerous form of skin cancer -- will be diagnosed in the United States this year. 

When caught early, most can be removed by surgery and patients make a full recovery. But depending on how much the tumor has grown and whether it has spread, your treatment may also include immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiation, and other treatments. 

As you go through treatment and recovery, keep in mind that once you’ve had one melanoma, you have a higher risk for a getting a second, as well as other skin cancers.

While you can go on living a full life, you should be extra careful about protecting your skin. 

Care for your scar: Your doctor will cut your melanoma out with a scalpel, along with a border of normal-looking skin around it. That’s to make sure all the cancerous cells are gone. If the incision is fairly small, the scar may be minor and could treated with an over-the-counter scar cream or camouflaged with cosmetics.  If more is removed, your doctor may need to use a skin graft. He would take skin from another part of your body that is easily covered with clothing.  

Carefully follow your doctor’s instructions for taking care of the wound so it heals properly and doesn’t become infected. 

Keep the sun from hitting your skin: Because almost all melanomas are caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays,  it’s critical to protect your skin from sunlight, especially the spot where you had melanoma. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher each day. Put it on 20 minutes before going outdoors, and don’t forget to put it on again every 2 hours. 

Wearing close-weave clothing with long sleeves and long pants can protect your skin. Wide-brimmed hats and UV-protectant sunglasses also work. 

Look for special clothing marked with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) or 30 or more. At the beach or pool, wear a rash guard or swim shirt instead of a regular swimsuit.