Melanoma & Skin Cancer support: Introduce yourself and connect

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Mar 28 4:33pm

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.

Susan, Volunteer Mentor | @grammato3 | 1 day ago

@mlb66: Hi Mike. I'm usually more punctual with my welcomes to this board but I was side-tracked with treatment myself yesterday - I've been getting immunotherapy and related interventions at Mayo/Phoenix for a year now due to Stage IV metastatic melanoma following a stage 1B melanoma 5 years earlier. I totally get the scattered thoughts that accompany the diagnosis and as more weigh in here I'm sure you'll find many have shared such feelings.

First things first: It helps to understand your course of immunotherapy. I've found infomation put out by AIM Melanoma Foundation to be particularly helpful in this regard as they have publications for each specicic protocol. For ipo/nivo: https://aimwithimmunotherapy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IO-Ipi-Nivo-Combo-PAP-2024_082525_mk-1.pdf
This explains how/why it is given, potential side-effects to be aware of and discuss with your medical provider as well as helpful resources.

Another group you may find beneficial is one to which I belong, a monthly Zoom meeting on Tuesdays (late in the day, time depending on where you live) for individuals - whether they are Mayo patients or not - who have had or are actively treating for melanoma, led by a Mayo LCSW: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/event/melanoma-support-group-meeting-2-660c8948/

Mayo's patient portal makes it very easy to stay on top of your records and in touch with your care team. I've found they take an integrative approach to care so whatever interventions you feel you may need to assist with this diagnosis, from massage to mental health support.

Let me know how your first infusion goes after 10/8 - I'll be thinking of you!

bluelizard | @bluelizard | 4 hours ago

Hi Mike. Wishing you the best of luck and outcomes on October 8. There are many resources - even in a common public library - that offer life planning advice. Through a financial planner I acquired a little system of folders where I filed important documents to begin the process of putting all the important stuff in one place. Keeping a small notebook helped me initially as my thoughts were scattered. When I thought of something 'important,' I jotted it down to be dealt with in due course. I hope you come back to this space and let us know how it's all going. Peace and strength!