Types of cancer
Seeking support for melanoma
It is challenging to live with a cancer diagnosis. You don't have to walk the journey alone. Find out about the support services available to people impacted by melanoma and their families.
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Sources and references 
A cancer diagnosis can affect every aspect of your life. You will probably experience a range of emotions – fear, sadness, anxiety, anger and frustration are all common reactions. Cancer also often creates practical and financial issues.
There are many sources of support and information to help you, your family and carers. These include:
- information about cancer and its treatment
- access to benefits and programs to ease the financial impact
- home care services, such as Meals on Wheels, visiting nurses and home help
- aids and appliances
- support groups and programs
- counselling services.
The availability of services may vary depending on where you live, and some services will be free but others might have a cost. To find good sources of support and information, you can talk to the social worker or nurse at your hospital or treatment centre, get in touch with Cancer Council 13 11 20, or call Melanoma Patients Australia’s National Melanoma Support Line on 1300 884 450.
Support from Cancer Council
Cancer Council offers a range of services to support people affected by cancer, their families and friends. Services may vary by location.
Cancer Council 13 11 20
Our experienced health professionals will answer any questions you have about your situation and link you to local services.
Legal and financial support
If you need advice on legal or financial issues, we may be able to refer you to qualified professionals. These services may be free for people who can’t afford to pay. Financial assistance may also be available. To find out more, call Cancer Council 13 11 20.
Peer support services
You might find it helpful to share your thoughts and experiences with other people affected by cancer. Cancer Council can link you with individuals or support groups by phone, in person, or online. Call 13 11 20 or visit the Cancer Council Online Community website.
Information resources
Cancer Council produces booklets and fact sheets on more than 40 types of cancer, as well as treatments, emotional and practical issues, and recovery. Call 13 11 20 or visit your local Cancer Council website.
Practical help
Cancer Council can help you find services or offer guidance to manage the practical impacts of cancer. This may include helping you access accommodation and transport services.
Useful websites
You can find many useful resources online, but not all websites are reliable. These websites are good sources of support and information.
Australian
- Cancer Council podcasts
- Guides to Best Cancer Care
- Cancer Australia
- Carer Gateway
- Healthdirect Australia
- Melanoma and Skin Cancer Trials
- Melanoma Institute Australia
- Melanoma Patients Australia (including the National Melanoma Support Line)
- Services Australia (including Medicare and Centrelink)
- SunSmart
International
Caring for someone with melanoma
You may be reading this because you are caring for someone with melanoma. What this means for you will vary depending on the situation. Being a carer can bring a sense of satisfaction, but it can also be challenging and stressful.
It is important to look after your own physical and emotional wellbeing. Give yourself some time out and share your concerns with somebody neutral such as a counsellor or your doctor, or try calling Cancer Council 13 11 20. There is a wide range of support available to help you with the practical and emotional aspects of your caring role.
Support services – Support services such as Meals on Wheels, home help or visiting nurses can help you in your caring role. You can find local services, as well as information and resources, through the Carer Gateway. Call them on 1800 422 737.
Support groups and programs – Many cancer support groups and cancer education programs are open to carers as well as to people with cancer. Support groups and programs offer the chance to share experiences and ways of coping.
Carers Australia – Carers Australia provides information and advocacy for carers.
Cancer Council – You can call Cancer Council 13 11 20 or visit your local Cancer Council website to find out more about carers’ services.
Question checklist
Asking your doctor questions will help you make an informed choice. You may want to include some of the questions below in your own list.
Diagnosis
- What type of melanoma do I have? How thick is it?
- Has the melanoma spread? Did the biopsy remove all of the melanoma?
- Can you explain the results of the tests to me?
- Are there clinical guidelines for this type of melanoma?
Treatment
- What treatment do you recommend? What is the aim of the treatment?
- Are the latest tests and treatments for melanoma that are available in this hospital?
- How long will treatment take? Will I have to stay in hospital?
- How much will treatment cost? Can the cost be reduced if I can’t afford it?
- How will I know if the treatment is working?
- Are there any clinical trials or research studies I could join?
Side effects
- What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment? How can these be managed?
- Will I have a lot of pain? If I do, what will be done about this?
- Will there be any scarring after the melanoma is removed?
- What are the chances I will get lymphoedema after treatment?
After treatment
- How often will I need to get my skin checked after treatment? Who should I go to for my skin checks?
- How can I protect myself from the sun and get enough vitamin D?
- If the melanoma returns, how will I know? What treatments could I have?
- Are there any local support groups for people with melanoma?
Sources and references
Understanding Melanoma - A guide for people with cancer, their families and friends
Acknowledgements
This edition has been developed by Cancer Council NSW on behalf of all other state and territory Cancer Councils as part of a National Cancer Information Subcommittee initiative.
We thank the reviewers of this booklet: A/Prof Rachel Roberts-Thomson, Medical Oncologist, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, SA; A/Prof Robyn Saw, Surgical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and The University of Sydney, NSW; Alison Button-Sloan, Consumer; Dr Marcus Cheng, Radiation Oncologist Registrar, Alfred Health, VIC; Prof Anne Cust, Deputy Director, The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW, Chair, National Skin Cancer Committee, Cancer Council, and faculty member, Melanoma Institute Australia; Prof David Gyorki, Surgical Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Dr Rhonda Harvey, Mohs Surgeon, Dermatologist, Green Square Dermatology, The Skin Hospital, Darlinghurst and Sydney Melanoma Diagnostic Centre, RPA, NSW; David Hoffman, Consumer; A/Prof Jeremy Hudson, Southern Cross University, James Cook University, Chair of Dermatology RACGP, Clinical Director, North Queensland Skin Cancer, QLD; Dr Damien Kee, Medical Oncologist, Austin Health and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Clinical Research Fellow, Walter & Eliza Hall Institute, VIC; Angelica Miller, Melanoma Community Support Nurse, Melanoma Institute Australia, WA; Romy Pham, 13 11 20 Consultant, QLD; A/Prof Sasha Senthi, Radiation Oncologist, Alfred Health, and Clinical Research Fellow, Victorian Cancer Agency, VIC; Dr Chistoph Sinz, Dermatologist, Melanoma Institute Australia, NSW; Dr Amelia Smit, Research Fellow, Melanoma and Skin Cancer, The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW; Nicole Taylor, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, NSW.
We also thank the health professionals, consumers and editorial teams who have worked on previous editions of this site.
References
- Cancer Council Australia Melanoma Guidelines Working Party, Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of melanoma, Melanoma Institute Australia, Sydney, viewed 31 January 2025, available from cancer.org.au/clinical-guidelines/skin-cancer/melanoma.
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), Cancer Data in Australia, AIHW, Canberra,
2024, viewed 31 January 2025, available from aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-inaustralia/data. - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), Cancer in Australia 2021, AIHW, Canberra, 2021.
Melanoma
Cancer Council 13 11 20
Call us to talk to a specially trained health professional for free and confidential support and information.
Guide to best cancer care
This melanoma guide explains the standard of high-quality cancer care that all Australians can expect, from diagnosis, to treatment, recovery, and living with cancer.