Helping patients through their melanoma journey

When Marion Walshe was first diagnosed with melanoma thirty years ago, there was very little information around to guide her.

Fast forward three decades of treatment, and Marion says patients are often tempted to search online for answers, which can prove confusing.

Created by the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Advocacy Network (MSCAN), in collaboration with melanoma experts at The Alfred and around the country, the Spot On Resource has been designed to help patients find their way through diagnosis and treatment.

“It’s a one-stop shop for everything you need to know,” Ms Walshe said.

“So instead of spending years carrying around different print outs and information, patients will now have everything they need in one place.”

Alfred Melanoma and Skin Cancer Clinical Nurse Hayley Burridge said the resource would prove valuable given the holistic, all of person focus.

“Finding out you have advanced melanoma is life-changing,” Ms Burridge said.

“Traditionally, information given to patients has focused on how to be treated rather than how to live through a diagnosis.”

“The Spot On Resource changes that. It focuses on the patient – not just their illness – including their wellbeing, mental and emotional health.”

Melanoma survivor and MSCAN founder Tamara Dawson said future patients will be able to benefit from the experience of those who have received a similar diagnosis, combined with clinical information from experts in the field.

“Receiving a diagnosis of advanced melanoma is such a shock and there are so many things for the individual to think about,” Ms Dawson said.

“The Spot on Resource helps answer the questions that will come up in the days, weeks and months after being diagnosed with advanced melanoma, and offers practical tips along the way.”

The Spot On Resource is available to all patients diagnosed with Stage three or four melanoma, via MSCAN.