What is the follow-up care for stage 1 melanoma?
Outlook with stage 1 melanoma is usually very good! You are at low risk for the cancer returning or spreading to other parts of your body. After treatment, doctors recommend that you:
Do monthly self skin checks.
Follow your dermatologist’s or surgeon’s recommendation for how often you should get a full-body skin exam — usually this will be once a year.
Use sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher and broad spectrum — apply it 15 minutes before going outside, and reapply every two hours and after sweating or swimming.
Wear clothes to protect your skin — wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.
Seek shade when the sun is strongest, between 10 am and 4 pm.
Questions to ask your doctor l Do you have a lot of experience diagnosing melanoma? l What type of follow-up care will I need? l What are the chances of my melanoma coming back? l How can I prevent melanoma from coming back? l What should I do if the melanoma comes back? l What other doctors should also be involved in my care?
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