Find out how to cope with life after treatment for eye melanoma, including emotional or physical changes and adjusting to a new normal.
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Overview
It is important to allow yourself time to adjust to physical and emotional changes, and to establish a new daily routine at your own pace. Your family and friends may also need time to adjust.
Cancer Council 13 11 20 can help you connect with other people who have had cancer and provide you with information about the emotional and practical aspects of living well after cancer.
For more on this, see Living well after cancer.
Looking after yourself
Having a range of emotions is common – from feeling shocked, overwhelmed, anxious or fearful, to feeling sad or lonely. Many people need emotional support before, during and after cancer. Getting used to scars, changes in how you look, or changes to your vision can be hard and may take time.
It can help to talk things through with a counsellor, psychologist, friend or family member. Ask your medical team or call Cancer Council 13 11 20 to find support services near you.
Learn more about emotions and cancer.
Follow-up appointments
After treatment, you will have regular appointments to check that the cancer hasn’t come back and to monitor any side effects. You may have scans, eye tests and physical examinations. You may have access to a care navigator who can assist with questions and appointments.
Some cancer centres will give you a survivorship care plan. This includes a summary of your treatment, sets out a schedule for follow-up care and lists any symptoms and long-term side effects to watch out for. It also tells you about any medical or emotional problems that you may experience and suggests ways to live a healthy lifestyle. If you don’t have a survivorship care plan, ask your doctor for one and give a copy to your GP and your health team.
If the cancer comes back
For some people, eye melanoma does come back after treatment, which is called a recurrence. Treatment will depend on where the cancer is in your body, but may include surgery, radiation therapy, laser therapy or immunotherapy. A clinical trial may also be recommended.
In some cases of advanced cancer, the main focus of treatment will be on managing any symptoms, such as pain, and improving quality of life. This is called palliative treatment and can be provided at home, in hospital, in a palliative care unit or hospice, or in a residential aged care facility.
Learn more about palliative care, living with advanced cancer and facing end of life.
Find information on living well after cancer in Arabic, Greek, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, and Vietnamese.
Watch this video to see why eating well is so important after a cancer diagnosis, and what you can do to maintain a healthy diet.
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Dr Li-Anne Lim, Ocular Oncologist, Sydney Eye Hospital, NSW; Carolyn Alkemade, Consumer; Elaine Cook, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Victoria, VIC; Peta Holly, Melanoma Telehealth Nurse, Melanoma Patients Australia; Dr Jon Lam, Ophthalmologist, Vitreoretinal Surgeon and Vitreoretinal Oncologist – Perth Retina, Fremantle Hospital and Royal Perth Hospital, WA; Dr John McKenzie, Ophthalmic Surgeon, Head of Oncology, The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Deputy Director of Ophthalmology, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Head of Ophthalmology, Western Health, VIC; Margie Reynolds, Consumer; Dr Wenchang Wong, Radiation Oncologist, Prince of Wales Hospital, NSW.
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