Back in Feb 2024 I was diagnosed melanoma stage 1a. And after treatment I was discharged from dermatology after 1 year follow up. Throughout that time I was Compliant with the recommendations and advice from the CNS. When I was finally discharged from dermatology I was reminded by my CNS at the time to continue the strict skin protection advice and self examination of moles. Initially I felt upset, and angry that I now had to carry the load of skin checks by myself and no yearly skin examinations.
A year on, i now find myself not really adhering to all of the advice given, especially as I have found it burdensome, when I visited my GP earlier this year I explained this to him and he understood that I had to get on with my life and live without living under such strict conditions. While I am not being irresponsible, I now find myself just putting on factor 50 if I am going to be out in the sun for long periods of time during the summer months, and no longer apply sun scream between Oct and March unless I am going to sunny climates. And check my skin when I remember.
Hi WALKER777
I'm sorry to read how you're currently feeling. I think we all feel a bit like we've been set adrift when follow-up appointments have finished and we still have to carry on checking our skin and practicing being safe in the sun.
It's now 10 years since I was diagnosed and 4 years after I was discharged from dermatology but I do still check my skin, although probably not as thoroughly as I used to, and I do cover up when outside. However, I have to admit that I'm no longer covered head to toe and do wear crop trousers and shorter arm length shirts and tops, but with sunscreen on any exposed skin. I still don't sit in the sun band probably never will, but I'm more relaxed about being exposed to it for short periods.
I think any adjustments we make to what we were initially told to do probably happen gradually as we feel more confident that the melanoma isn't going to come back, although we can never say that it'll never come back.
Wishing you all the best
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
