Newly Diagnosed

If you or someone you know has recently been diagnosed with melanoma, here are a few thoughts to consider as you begin to deal with it.

A few thoughts to consider:  

• Don't rush into a decision about treatment. Unless your doctor tells you that your situation is urgent, take a little time to do some research and get a second opinion. Then carefully consider your options. Talk with your doctor about how long you can safely wait before having surgery or beginning treatment. 
• Inform yourself. You will find a number of resources on the web, including the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance web site. Take a look at the Patient Education section. You may want to read about Treatment Options and our outstanding Cancer Specialists and other medical professionals who will care for you. 
• You may hear a lot about diseases and treatments on the news and from friends and relatives. Remember—all skin cancers are not the same, and melanomas can be very different from one another. The treatment a friend or relative had may not be right for you.  
• If caught early, melanoma is highly treatable, with very high recovery rates. Even if your cancer was not diagnosed until a later stage, there is still hope, and the doctors at SCCA can offer you leading-edge treatment options. 
• Ask someone you trust to go with you to doctors' appointments and tests. This person can provide emotional support, help by taking notes at visits, and do research on your disease and treatment options. 
• Keep all your information, ideas, and questions organized, perhaps in a notebook. Keep a list of questions and concerns to discuss with your team.

Take care of yourself
Give yourself extra care during this time—physically and emotionally. Exercise and a healthy diet are especially important now. Taking care of yourself and getting the support you need may make a huge difference in how you experience your treatment and your quality of life during treatment. You may want to join a support group, or talk to a nutritionist, social worker, or chaplain.

Finances
If you are concerned about whether your health insurance will cover treatment at SCCA, click here for more information on insurance.

A note for families and close friends
We recognize that when a family member or close friend has cancer, you too are deeply affected. You probably will experience times of fear, frustration, sadness, and hope. The staff is here to help you as well and to encourage you to take good care of yourself. Taking care of yourself provides you with the ability to take care of the one you love. You may find useful information on the Support and Patient and Family Support pages.

Click here to read more about the Diagnostic Process at SCCA.

May 2005