Melanoma

Comprehensive psychological care of people with melanoma spans all phases of the disease trajectory, including risk assessment, diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and survivorship, as well as the transition from curative to palliative care, death, and bereavement. At least one-third of people with melanoma report levels of psychological distress indicative of a need for clinical intervention, and over 70% report high levels of fear of cancer recurrence or progression. Many patients experience the period of diagnostic uncertainty between detection of a suspicious lesion and receipt of biopsy results as particularly stressful. High psychological distress is associated with reduced participation in cancer screening, treatment and risk management recommendations, delays in seeking medical advice, lower satisfaction with clinical care, higher health care costs, poorer social functioning, greater morbidity and mortality, and poorer overall quality of life. Screening for distress in people with melanoma is strongly recommended as part of routine, multidisciplinary care, followed by a stepped approach to psychological support and treatment, based on patient risk and resilience factors, needs, values, and preferences. A range of psychotherapeutic and psychoeducational interventions, delivered via a variety of modalities, are effective in reducing psychological distress in people with melanoma in the short and longer term. Cutting-edge research is focused on harnessing technology to bring effective interventions to scale.