Questions for your doctor
You may find this checklist helpful when thinking about the questions you want to ask your doctor about your disease and treatment. If your doctor gives you answers that you don’t understand, ask for clarification.
- What type of melanoma do I have? How thick is it?
- Has the melanoma spread? How fast is it growing?
- Did the biopsy remove all of the melanoma?
- What treatment do you recommend and why?
- What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment? How can these be managed?
- Will there be any scarring after the melanoma is removed?
- What are the chances I will get lymphoedema after surgery?
- How long will treatment take? Will I have to stay in hospital?
- How much will treatment cost? How can the cost be reduced?
- Will I have a lot of pain with the treatment? If I do, what will be done about this?
- Will there be any long-term effects from treatment?
- Are the latest tests and treatments for this type of cancer available in this hospital?
- Are there any clinical trials or research studies I could join?
- How will I know if the treatment is working?
- Is the melanoma likely to return?
- What sort of follow-up will I need?
- How often should I get my skin checked after treatment? Who should I go to for my skin checks?
- Are there any local support groups for people with melanoma?
- How can I receive the recommended levels of vitamin D to limit my sun exposure?
This information was last reviewed in January 2017
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