How we can help

After your melanoma diagnosis, you may receive information from every direction and you will have lots of questions:  What will happen to me? What does all this mean? How will I cope? How can I tell my loved ones? 

Our first suggestion is that you and your loved ones educate yourselves thoroughly on melanoma and treatment options available. You are facing a very vulnerable time in your life and the more knowledge you have, the more empowered you will be and that will help you find peace of mind.

We are here to support you every step of the way.  We hope that our website will help you answer some of these questions by taking you through the practicalities, treatment options and linking you up with our extended melanoma family.

Here are a few things to help you or your loved ones get organised.

Gain the basics of your diagnosis

  • Ask your doctor questions about diagnosis, treatment options, and survivorship.
  • Prepare by writing your questions down ahead of time and taking notes while at the doctor’s office.
  • Get referrals to see specialists.
  • Make sure you have a clear understanding of your diagnosis so that you can understand and make informed decisions about your care.

Ask for copies of all your records

  • Store your records together and keep track of
    • Symptoms and Side Effects.
    • Personal information and medical history.
    • Record of your medication.
    • Your treatment summary / Care Plan

10 Practical tips to help you as you start this journey:

    1. Get a copy of your pathology report. 
    2. What STAGE are you? 
    3. Know your BRAF status.
    4. Get a good support person/s to help you on this journey.
    5. Be sure you are being treated by someone who is expert and experienced in the treatment of melanoma. 
    6. Ask if you are eligible for a CLINICAL TRIALS.
    7. Second opinions can be quite helpful for both treatments and pathology, be sure to consider that option.
    8. Join MELANOMA MATES on Facebook
    9. It is perfectly normal to feel scared. Mindfulness, meditation, and other relaxation exercises are highly recommended.

We do our best to operate outside of normal hours but if we are not available, you are more than welcome to ask us for a callback, leave us a voicemail message etc.

If you are a patient and you’re calling outside of standard working hours with a medical emergency, please do speak to a member of your team or seek urgent medical advice.