Q. What is it like living with skin cancer?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Living with skin cancer can be incredibly difficult and overwhelming, both emotionally and physically. On the physical side, regular trips to the doctor are necessary in order to monitor any changes of skin cells over time. Health care professionals may also recommend medical procedures such as biopsies if they detect irregular growths or moles on the surface of your skin. Furthermore, those with skin cancer might experience side effects from any treatment that is prescribed by their doctors — including radiation therapy or chemotherapy, which can cause discomfort and fatigue.
On an emotional level, living with skin cancer can introduce feelings of fear and anxiety about potential health risks for yourself or loved ones in the future. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed by these emotions but talking openly about them will help you gain perspective on how best to cope with them day-to-day. There are also a variety of support groups available through organizations like The Skin Cancer Foundation that connect people who have gone through similar experiences so you don’t have to go through it alone.
It is important for anyone living with skin cancer to learn about all possible options when it comes to treatments and other alternatives for managing it effectively in order to lead a healthy life going forward. For example, prioritizing sun safety strategies such as wearing sunscreen whenever possible is essential as one way to reduce exposure risk while also staying informed on developments within medical research related specifically towards your condition will help ensure access to the latest information available regarding treatments that could potentially improve your quality of life outcomes while managing this type of illness longterm.