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Skin cancer (melanoma)

Questions to ask your doctor

If you're worried that one of your moles may be a melanoma, you should talk to your doctor as soon as you can.

Here are some questions you might want to ask:

Could my mole be a melanoma?
Will I have surgery to remove part of the mole to check whether it is cancer or will I need to have all of it removed?
What stage is my melanoma? (How advanced is my cancer?)
What treatment do you recommend?
What are the risks of treatment?
Are people in my family at risk of getting a melanoma?
What can I do to keep from getting another melanoma?
What do you think is likely to happen to me?

And here are some questions your doctor may ask you:

Has anyone in your family ever had a melanoma?
Have you ever had any type of skin cancer?
Did you have bad sunburns when you were a child?
Have any of your moles changed their color, shape, size or texture?

This information was last updated on Sep 01, 2008

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
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