Getting a Good Start

Start strong, stay committed

According to the National Cancer Institute, any diagnosis of cancer can make your world feel like it's turned upside-down.

For most people, the more you know about melanoma, its treatment, and what you're going to face in the coming months, the more you may be able to:

  • take back some feeling of control
  • make decisions with a sense of confidence
  • help your family cope with the changes that cancer brings to their lives

The way you think can make a big difference in the way you feel.

Take some time to think ahead about how you will manage changes in your life, from finances and job issues to life during treatment. Try to replace fear with information and plans; they can often help you make the best of a difficult stage in your life.

Cancer
A general term for more than 100 different diseases that involve the uncontrolled increase of abnormal new cells. These cells form tumors that can destroy surrounding tissue and spread throughout the body.
Melanoma
A highly malignant type of skin cancer that arises in melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment. Melanoma usually begins in a mole.

Make a Strong Start

Are you already starting treatment for melanoma? Find ideas for planning ahead, talking to family and coworkers, setting up your support team.