Melanoma is a form of skin cancer. Its diagnosis is traumatizing and dealing with it can be overwhelming. Apart from witnessing changes to the body, the disease also impacts the patient emotionally, financially and socially. However, there are a number of ways where the patients and families can deal with the disease to lessen its effects.

Coping With Emotional Trauma

The diagnosis of Melanoma can leave the person emotionally devastated. Depression is amongst the most serious emotional effect that the patient has to deal with. Other than this, the patient may also experience bouts of anger, anxiety, and fear. In such times,  family and friends are the biggest support for the patient. But, sometimes it becomes difficult for the families to effectively deal with the emotions and needs of the sufferer. In case this happens, get in touch with someone from the healthcare team or mental health professionals. You can also opt for individual counseling. These are well-trained professionals and would make it easy for the patient as well as his/her loved ones to deal with melanoma.

Coping With Finances

Diagnosis of melanoma can have a serious impact on the finances of the person. The treatment of cancer can leave a big hole in one’s pocket and the expenses involved can be stressful both for the person and the family. Unable to pay the hospital bills, some people leave the treatment midway, which can have disastrous consequences. There are a number of resources that provide financial assistance to cancer patients but you might not be aware of them. Thus, talk to the healthcare team of the hospital who will connect you with the right resources.

Coping With Physical Side effects

Melanoma has many physical side effects but these vary from one person to another. Some of the factors that determine the intensity of the physical side effects include the patient’s overall health, the stage of the disease and the duration of the treatment. During treatment, the patients may also suffer from lymphedema, which is swelling or fluid buildup in the legs or arms. This occurs when radiation therapy or lymph node dissection is a part of the treatment. To lessen the effects, the patients are advised to go in for special massages or other similar therapies. Wearing proper garments is also advised. Nevertheless, with the advancement of technologies and well-trained cancer specialist in Hyderabad and the rest of India, the effects of the disease are not as devastating as they used to be in earlier times.

Cancer is deadly and devastating. But a supporting family and the guidance of the members of the healthcare team can mitigate the effects of the disease to a great extent. There are a number of hospitals providing cancer treatment in India, including the CARE Hospitals Group.