Supportive care for skin cancer

Supportive care helps with the physical, practical, emotional and spiritual challenges of cancer. This important part of cancer care focuses on improving the quality of life of people with cancer and their loved ones, especially after treatment has ended.

Adjusting to life after treatment is different for everyone. Your recovery will depend on many different factors, such as where the cancer was in your body, the tissues removed during surgery, the type of treatment and side effects.

If you have been treated for non-melanoma skin cancer or melanoma skin cancer, you may have the following concerns.

Self-esteem is how you feel about yourself. Body image is how you see your own body. They are often closely linked. Skin cancer and its treatments can affect your self-esteem and body image. Often this is because cancer or cancer treatments change how your skin looks. Your skin may now have scars and colour changes. These changes are usually temporary or will lessen with time, but some can last for a long time or be permanent. You may feel the changes are very noticeable, especially if they’re on an area like your face. You may be afraid to go out and worried that others will stare at you.

Specific types of surgery or other treatments may be considered if the cancer is on a very visible place, such as your face. Sometimes makeup and cosmetic techniques can cover up scars and other changes to the skin.

You may be worried that the cancer will come back (recur) after treatment, especially if your doctor said the cancer has a high risk of recurrence. When skin cancer is found and treated early, it is usually much easier to treat. So it’s important to check your skin and have regular follow-ups with your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have any abnormal areas on your skin.

Most skin cancers are caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun. The best way to lower your risk of cancer coming back or developing another skin cancer is to protect yourself from the sun.

Find out more about checking your skin, follow-up after treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer, follow-up after treatment for melanoma skin cancer and enjoying the sun safely.

To make decisions that are right for you, ask your healthcare team questions about supportive care.