What to ask your doctor about diagnosing melanoma

Some questions you might ask your doctor

I have a strange looking mole - should I go to hospital to have it removed?
Should a border of healthy tissue be removed from around the mole?
What happens if I don't have the mole removed?
Who will take my stitches out?
When do I have the stitches out?
How long will it take to get my results?
How will I get my results?
What follow up appointments will I need?
What should I look for in between follow up appointments?
Who should I contact if I feel I need to see a specialist before my next appointment?
You've told me I have had a melanoma - what is the chance of it coming back?
How thick is my melanoma?
Is it ulcerated, or is there regression? If so, what does this mean for me?
How likely is it that it will come back?
Am I likely to need any more surgery - when will I have this?
Will I need a skin graft?
Will I need any other tests or investigations?
Will the tests show whether I have cancer anywhere else?
Should I have a sentinel node biopsy?
Can the tests be done in outpatients?
Are any of the tests painful or do they have side effects?
Is special preparation needed for any of the tests?
When can I go back to work?
Can this diagnosis affect my family and children - can they inherit melanoma?
Would it benefit me to have all my moles removed?
Do I have a high risk of getting another melanoma?

Melanoma skin cancer