Resources for Patients


A melanoma diagnosis can create many kinds of stress. You may be shocked and confused initially. You may not know much about melanoma and what it means to have this disease. You may not know where to go for the best treatment, or what your treatment options are.

Both initially and as time goes on, the physical stress of fighting this disease is all too often accompanied by emotional and/or financial stress. You may suffer anxiety each time you face scans, worried about what the results will show. Your body image and self-confidence may suffer as the result of surgery or the effects of the drugs you are taking. There may be added stress on your relationships as you adjust to the uncertainties and demands melanoma places on both patients and their caregivers. 

The costs of your medical care may be a concern, particularly if you are taking one of the new and expensive drugs or drug combinations. Your ability to work may be affected and you may worry about meeting your day to day costs of living.

Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet that can make all this go away, but there are places that can help. Here are some of them:

Online support community 
The Melanoma Research Alliance's Melanoma Exchange provides a critical platform for finding support and asking questions related to melanoma, melanoma treatment and relevant research, including clinical trials. Group members share personal experiences and insight, the latest treatment news, dispel rumors about clinical trials, and more in this supportive setting. Content is curated by patients who have had direct experience in clinical trials and Melanoma Research Alliance staff. 
http://melanoma.inspire.com


​Information about clinical trials
Information about Melanoma
The Melanoma Network of Canada offers a variety of comprehensive materials for patients and healthcare professionals: https://www.melanomanetwork.ca/resourceshcp/

Medifind provides a good starting point for finding melanoma care:
www.medifind.com/conditions/melanoma/3253

Sources of services and support​
  • Check with your hospital or treatment center. Most have social workers or other assistants on staff who can help you find the assistance you need, and many have programs to help with patients' emotional and financial needs.​
​
  • Good Days/Patients and Pros (formerly the Chronic Disease Fund)
           Patients & Pros assists patients and the medical professionals that support them in finding financial help for medication costs. 
          https://pnp.mygooddays.org
  • The American Cancer Society
           Offers a variety of services from lodging and rides to treatment to emotional support.
           http://www.cancer.org/treatment/supportprogramsservices/index
  • The National Cancer Institute
           Maintains a searchable database of service providers
           supportorgs.cancer.gov/home.aspx
  • ​Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition
           A coalition of organizations helping cancer patients meet financial challenges
           www.cancerfac.org
  • CancerCare
           Offers limited financial support for transportation; offers counseling, support groups, and education
           www.cancercare.org/diagnosis/melanoma
  • CureToday.com
           An online "one stop shopping" source of information for cancer patients and advocates
           www.curetoday.com
  •  Cancer Support Community
            network dedicated to providing information and support to all those touched by cancer 
            http://www.cancersupportcommunity.org
  • Patient Advocate Foundation
           offers travel assistance for those with metastatic melanoma​
            http://www.patientadvocate.org/financialaid
  • Imerman Angels
          offers those seeking support with someone  like themselves-- a survivor or caregiver who has faced the same type of cancer.
           https://imermanangels.org
  • Melanoma Network of Canada
          offers patient support via phone and e-mail, peer to peer support, and support groups.           
          https://www.melanomanetwork.ca/support/
Videos
CureToday.com has produced a video series dealing with issues faced by cancer patients and caregivers. Some of the melanoma segments feature members of the Mollie Biggane Melanoma Foundation:
http://www.curetoday.com/cure-connections/skin-cancer