Handhold please. Possible melanoma

[SS80]

Hi. My partner has been referred to a specialist for a dodgy looking mole. It’s turned into a lump on on his face. He initially scratched it thinking it was a spot - so assumed he’d just irritated it and it was infected. For context, I have quite a history with cancer. We have young kids. He seems ok, but I am terrified. Struggling to function, but pretending I’m ok because it’s not about me. How do people handle these situations?

I think you have to view it from a different angle. If it does turn out to be cancerous, then you realise how incredibly lucky he is that it has been detected. A simple procedure, and the job's done. Being "terrified" doesn't achieve anything. If necessary, maybe some talking therapy will help you to get things into perspective.

My dh was diagnosed with stage 3 Melanoma in 2021. It had already spread to his lymph nodes.

He had 3 surgeries and then started on immunotherapy for 15 months. Very manageable treatment - in pill form taken at home.

He has no sign of disease 3 years on.
I remember the fear back in 2021 and wished I would of known then how quickly the official prognosis rates are improving year on year as the impact of new treatments rolls out.

The new treatments are incredible and melanoma is now very treatable if caught early.