Self-care with melanoma
Te whakaora ake i te mate pukupuku kiri manauri
There are many things you can do to take care of yourself after you have had a melanoma.
Have regular checks
If your melanoma was stage 1 or 2 (not spread outside the skin), you will need to have a check-up every 3 to 6 months for 5 years after your surgery. Your general practice team will do this, unless you choose to see a private dermatologist or plastic surgeon.
As part of your follow-up your general practice team will explain self-examination. This is how to check for any new or changing moles or lumps in areas close to where your melanoma was removed.
If your melanoma was more serious – stage 3 or 4 (spread locally or around your body), you will be followed up by hospital specialists. This will be a plastic surgeon or an oncologist (cancer doctor).
Stay vigilant
When you have had melanoma, you have an increased risk of getting it again. You should keep doing self-examination checks for the rest of your life.
See your general practice team immediately if you notice any new or changing moles or lumps.
Protect your skin from the sun.
You may want to pay to see a private dermatologist. You can search for a private dermatologist on Healthpoint.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed September 2024.
Sources
The information in this section comes from the following sources, some of which may be clinically complex or not available to the general public
DermNet NZ, Melanoma.
Melanoma Foundation of New Zealand.
Plastic Surgery Clinic, Burwood Hospital, Canterbury DHB. Discharge advice following local anaesthetic procedure. Authorised by clinical director, plastic surgery. August 2008. Ref 1997.
Plastic Surgery Clinic, Burwood Hospital, Canterbury DHB. Plastic Surgery Clinic appointment – patient information. Authorised by clinical director, plastic surgery. August 2013. Ref: 2080.
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Melanoma surgery – a guide for patients. 1st edition. 100700 Mi-tec Medical Publishing.
Image and embedded video sources
Image of a dermatologist removing a skin cancer from Shutterstock (image ID 134743592). September 2024.
Image of a health professional checking a spot on a woman's arm from Shutterstock (image ID 145622296). September 2016.
Image of a man concerned about a spot on his face from Shutterstock (image ID 1796309248). May 2021.
Image of a man looking at a spot on his arm from Shutterstock (image ID 1662738349). May 2021.
Image of a man setting up a sun umbrella from Shutterstock (image ID 2313052995). September 2024.
Image of a mother and daughter under a sun umbrella from Shutterstock (image ID 116323135). May 2021.
Image of a person's moles being checked from Shutterstock (image ID 613097849). May 2021.
Image of a stitched biopsy wound from Shutterstock (image ID 242835517). May 2021.
Image of a woman applying sunscreen from Shutterstock (image ID 1111653527). May 2021.
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Review key: HIMEL-15455
