Melanoma & Skin Cancer support: Introduce yourself and connect

Welcome to the Melanoma & Skin Cancer support group on Mayo Clinic Connect.

This is a welcoming, safe place where you can meet others living with skin cancer or caring for someone with skin cancer, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP), Merkel cell carcinoma, sebaceous carcinoma, and their treatments. Let's learn from each other and share stories about living well with cancer, coping with the challenges and offering tips.

Take these steps to participate in the group:

  • Follow the group.
  • Browse topics.
  • Use the group search to find answers to your questions.
  • Introduce yourself.

Pull up a chair and chat. Why not start by introducing yourself? What is your experience, or your loved one’s experience, living with melanoma or skin cancer (i.e., what type, how long since diagnosis, how it’s managed)?

Do you have a question, tip or story to share?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Melanoma & Skin Cancer Support Group.

My Mayo oncologist told me about this study and the Covid vaccine. I just got my Covid vaccine today. Hope it helps with my uveal melanoma
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/nov/12/covid-mrna-vaccines-cancer-patients-prolong-life

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Profile picture for blc1951 @blc1951

@grammato3 Thank you for the information. I do know from the biopsy that this is stage 2. I will let you know what the plan is after I hear from the dr.

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@blc1951. I spoke with the nurse this morning. She said the slides came in at the end of last week. She will speak with the dr and said I should ear by the end of this week. I guess it is not very concerning?

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Profile picture for Susan, Volunteer Mentor @grammato3

@blc1951 Good point. As of now, there is no applicable code that has been applied for this service, which can range in price (from about $150-$500 depending on the provider) and is currently considered I&E (investigational and experimental) and/or not medically necessary as there are other less costly methods of detection - although none that may detect quite as early especially for high-risk individuals who have a prior history of melanoma, skin cancer or atypical moles.

As @jc76 has reported, I also have a significant history of several skin cancers including melanoma and will be having another Moh's surgery for BCC in a few weeks so it is worth it to me to spend the additional money to have the screening. Fortunately, Mayo where I treat in Phoenix (actually the dermatology division at the Scottsdale campus) recently obtained the Vectra 3D imaging system so I hope to get this early next year.

@blc1951, how often do or will you get this screening?

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@grammato3 I get it once every year. Have had it done twice so far.

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