Side effects such as loss of appetite and fatigue will require you to make adjustments to your daily routine. Being prepared for these changes and discussing how they will affect you both mentally and physically can help you manage your social and work schedules. During and after treatment, it is important that you follow your physician's recommendations. Depending upon the stage of the cancer and the treatment, these will include behavioral changes such as limiting sun exposure and using sunscreen, as well as the continued need to examine your body for changes in the appearance of moles. You will also need to schedule follow-up visits with your physician.
Some people delay seeking treatment and are lax in keeping medical appointments.
If there is a remission and there are no symptoms, there is often uncertainty about the possibility of a recurrence. This uncertainty can cause people to be fearful or possibly minimize the importance of follow-up care. Anxious feelings or a failure to recognize the onset of new symptoms can lead to delay in seeking treatment or failure to comply with a physician's recommendations. Some people have trouble performing the skin self-exam. For example, it is often easier to notice changes in moles on the arms and chest as opposed to the back.