Melanoma - repeat scans

Hi I had to think very carefully before I decided to reply to you. I also had a left groin dissection 9 years ago now and was told there was no evidence of melanoma.I went for check ups for 5 years At that time my hospital didn’t do scans but gave you a chest X-ray every 6 months. Five years went by with no reaccurance so then I was supposed to go annually for a check up. I went year 6 and all was well. In year 7 I lost a lot of weight and kept feeling sick in the morning and I went off food. I kept going to the doctors and was told it was stress and acid reflux .I had had a stressful time that year with my father dying and trying to look after my mother.I felt no better and even asked my doctor if it could be melanoma but she said unlikely.I then went for my yearly check up at hospital and the consultant felt some lumps in my stomach,To cut a long story short it was a huge tumour and also in my lungs and spine.

I am having immunotherapy and the tumours are shrinking. I am a very positive person and try just to get on with my lifei I partly blame myself for putting up with my symptoms for too long. I don’t want to worry you I think I was just one of the unlucky ones.I think if you feel well and are not off your food and have plenty of energy not to worry. 

If anytime you are anxious talk to a melanoma nurse or someone from Macmillan instead of bottling it up inside. Live your life to the full and eat healthy food and surround yourself with friends who have a positive outlook .No one can look into the future but you seem well now and hopefully will be for many years to come. I again don’t want to upset you because I have dealing with it .

My brother had his melanoma removed had check ups for 3years no scans just physical examinations,told no signs of cancer,he then had a seizure .he was scanned ,told his cancer was in his brain and many other organs and it was terminal.so my advice have a scan what ever the cost you only have one life protect yourself