After the melanoma has been removed you will need regular check-ups. Although most people with thin melanomas are cured by simply having the mole removed, in some people the melanoma may come back. It is important, therefore, to have regular check-ups and to know what to look for.

You should check yourself regularly between hospital appointments. It is possible for the melanoma to come back in the same area, so if you notice any change or lumps in the area of the scar or nearby, you should let your doctor know straight away. You could take a photograph of any area you are concerned about.

If you notice any new symptoms or are worried in between appointments you can always contact your specialist nurse at the hospital. You can also arrange to have an earlier appointment by contacting your doctor’s secretary.

At your regular check-ups your doctor will check the lymph nodes close to the area where the melanoma was removed.

• For melanomas in the head or neck area, your doctor will check the lymph nodes in the sides of the neck, under the chin, above the collar bones, behind the ears and at the back of the neck.
• If the melanoma occurred in the chest, back or abdomen, your doctor will check the lymph nodes in the groin, armpits, above the collar bones and in the neck.
• A melanoma that occurred in the arm may spread to the lymph nodes in the armpit on the affected side, above the collar bones and in the lower neck.
• If the melanoma occurred in the leg your doctor will check the lymph nodes behind the knees and at the top of the legs.

For people whose treatment is over apart from these check-ups, our section life after cancer gives useful advice on how to keep healthy and adjust to life after treatment.

After any treatment for malignant melanoma, it is very important to avoid strong sunlight. This reduces the chance of developing a second melanoma. There are a number of things you can do to protect your skin:

• Wear clothing made of cotton or natural fibres which have a close weave and give more protection against the sun.
• Protect your face and neck with a wide-brimmed hat.
• Always wear sunglasses in strong sunlight.
• Use a high-factor sunscreen (SPF 30 or above), whenever you are exposed to the sun. Follow the instructions on the bottle and re-apply it as recommended, especially after swimming.
• Never allow your skin to burn.
• Stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day – usually between 11am and 3pm.
• Use fake tanning lotions or sprays, rather than sitting in the sun or using a sunbed.

If you are thinking about becoming pregnant it is a good idea to discuss this with your specialist. Many doctors suggest that women who have had melanoma avoid becoming pregnant for around two years after the diagnosis. This is because this is the most likely time for the melanoma to come back. Your specialist knows your particular situation and can advise you further.

Research has shown that in women who have had melanoma, taking HRT does not increase the risk of the melanoma coming back.