Emotional impact
Hi, I’m new and would be interested in hearing how you manage the emotional aspects of skin cancer. My latest skin cancer was just 2 months ago, so I could use the input. Likewise, I’m sure many others would also benefit from your input.
I’m looking into resources at the hospital where I treat.
Hi
- thank you for starting such an important conversation! While I want to leave space for others to share their personal experiences, I wanted to share an article from SkinCancer.net on the emotional impact of skin cancer that might be helpful to read, if you haven't already: https://skincancer.net/life-with-skin-cancer/emotional-impact. Hope this helps and that you are well! -Alexa (SkinCancer.net moderator) Excellent article! Thank you for sharing.
Honestly it’s really hard sometimes. My mind goes in all directions especially near a skin check or scan. I have a hard time sleeping usually because that’s when my mind starts to wander. I’ve started meditating and that’s helped. I try to keep in mind someone once told me, try to do something that makes you happy everyday. When it comes to scars from surgeries it’s hard to feel as pretty as I used to. It’s really hard dealing with Melanoma. Some days I totally forget that I even have Melanoma. I wish there were more options for support for skin cancer patients. I know some have in person support groups. There isn’t anything like that where I live. I tend to look to this community at skin cancer.net as my support group.
Thank you for your transparent approach. I appreciate how you feel and how you deal with those feelings. I am so glad that you are active on our community and that we can bounce things off each other. It's so important to have others who understand. Scott skincancer.net moderator
I hear you on the scars and feeling pretty. My recent surgery left a pretty big scar on my chest. It is visible in a swimsuit or a low cut blouse. I don’t work as a swimsuit model, thankfully, but I’m not wild about this visible scar. I don’t feel as attractive for sure.
Yes this community is very important to me! I am so glad I found this site.
I have struggled emotionally a great deal. I had an infiltrative bcc excised one week before lockdown. I have had other bccs, lots of AKs and Bowen’s since then. I had an awful systemic reaction to Fluoroucil cream. I have had counselling and therapy. I now accept that is ok not to feel ok and vulnerable. If I’m anxious, that’s ok too. I’m from the UK and our free health service is falling apart and not fit for purpose. I have now accepted that I will develop more skin cancers and that has helped me come to terms with the uncertainty that I couldn’t deal with a first.
Thank you for honestly sharing how you feel and your fears. I appreciate this because I think it is an important message for our community. Scott skincancer.net moderator
