Living with melanoma skin cancer
There are organisations that provide information about melanoma skin cancer. There are also organisations that offer support to help you cope with melanoma and its treatment, as well as organisations and websites with general information about cancer.
Cancer Research UK is the largest cancer research organisation in the world outside the USA. We fund research on all aspects of cancer from its causes to prevention and treatment.
We are committed to producing high quality information for people affected by cancer. As well as looking at the information on this website you can call our nurse freephone helpline on 0808 800 4040. They are available from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Or you can send them a question online.
Contact our cancer information nurses
Cancer Chat is our online forum where you can share experiences.
These organisations provide information on melanoma and preventing melanoma. Others provide information and support to help you cope with melanoma and the effects of the treatment.
The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) is a professional membership body for dermatologists in the UK. It is a registered charity dedicated to medical education, research, and professional practice. They also produce clinical guidelines for treating skin cancer in the UK.
The website has patient information leaflets on a range of skin conditions and how to manage them.
Go to the British Association of Dermatologists patient information leaflets
Changing Faces provide support and information for people who have any form of facial disfigurement including disfigurement caused by cancer. They also provide a skin camouflage service for people in England and Scotland. Trained volunteers teach people how to apply specialist cover creams.
Phone: 0300 0120 275 (support and advice line) Head office email: info@changingfaces.org.uk
The contact details for the skin camouflage service are:
Phone: 0300 0120 276 Email: skincam@changingfaces.org.uk
Visit the Changing Faces website
A website with information about the research consortium with interactive materials about melanoma for medical professionals, people with melanoma and their families.
Genomel - the Melanoma Genetics Consortium website
This UK organisation for people with facial disfigurement offers:
telephone support
a service to link up people in similar situations
dietary and medical advice
social activities
resources and a newsletter
Email: sandra.smith@lets-face-it.org.uk
Visit the Let's Face It website
MASScot is a charity supporting people with skin cancers, including melanoma, in Scotland. It is run by people with melanoma and their carers. They aim to give confidential one to one practical and psychological advice as well as access to counselling.
You can call them between 8am and 11pm. Outside of these times you can leave a message. Or you can contact them by email.
Tel: 07738 231260 Email: leigh@masscot.org.uk
The Melanoma Focus Helpline is a confidential service for anyone in the UK who has a question about any aspect of melanoma.
The helpline is staffed by nurses and is open: 1-2pm and 7-9pm Monday to Friday, and 7-9pm on Sunday.
Helpline: 0808 801 0777
Visit the Melanoma Focus website
The Melanoma Fund is committed to raising awareness of sun protection to help prevent skin cancer for those involved in outdoor sports and activities. The charity offers free sun protection resources, providing materials and guidance for individuals, sports clubs, and outdoor groups to ensure this vital information is passed on to members and staff.
The Sunguarding Course is available online. It is designed for all who work with others outdoors, offering comprehensive sun and heat protection education, along with accreditation and CPD points.
Visit the Melanoma Fund website
Melanoma-Me Foundation is a charity based in the North East of England. They provide information and offer support to people affected by melanoma and other skin cancers. They offer services including counselling and one to one or group support to those in the local area. They also offer telephone or online counselling sessions to those elsewhere in the UK.
Tel: 0191 492 2211 Email: melanomame17@gmail.com
Visit the Melanoma-Me Foundation website
This organisation offers support to people affected by melanoma. It has a free phone line available 24 hours a day that is run by volunteers who have personal experience of melanoma. It also has a network of people affected by melanoma who you can be put in touch with. It organises support meetings every few months at various places in the UK.
Tel: 0808 171 2455
The American National Cancer Institute's (NCI) patient information on melanoma is detailed and comprehensive. It includes diagrams showing how melanoma size compares to everyday objects like the tip of a pencil.
As it is an American website, not all the information is relevant for a UK audience.
Visit the NCI's melanoma information
Saving Faces is funding education and research to improve medical treatment and support for people after facial surgery.
Sometimes it can be helpful to talk to someone who has been in a similar situation. Saving Faces can put you in touch with other people who have had facial surgery.
Phone: 020 3417 7757 Email: info@savingfaces.co.uk
Visit the Saving Faces website
Skcin is a national charity that raises awareness of skin cancer including melanoma. They have information on topics including sun safety and prevention of skin cancer. They also have an app to help you prevent and detect skin cancer.
These organisations provide general information and support for people affected by any type of cancer.
Macmillan Cancer Support is a charity that gives practical and medical support to people with cancer in the UK. Its helpline offers support with clinical, emotional, general and welfare benefits needs. They also publish booklets about cancer and treatments. Information is available in other languages.
Freephone: 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week, 8am to 8pm) Contact email form
Visit the Macmillan Cancer Support website
Maggie’s is a national charity with centres across the UK. They offer care and support to people affected by cancer. Each centre is beside an NHS cancer hospital and is run by specialist staff.
You can join a support group, take part in weekly sessions like relaxation and stress management, or learn about nutrition and health. You can also visit just to have a cup of tea and a friendly chat.
Phone: 0300 123 1801 Email: enquiries@maggies.org
Teenage Cancer Trust is a national charity providing specialist units, expert staff, support events, education and information for 13 to 24 year olds diagnosed with cancer, and their friends and families.
Teenage Cancer Trust also work closely with healthcare professionals and researchers to lead the way on developing cancer care for teenagers and young adults.
Teenage Cancer Trust The Place 175 High Holborn London WC1V 7AA
Phone: 020 7612 0370 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm Email: hello@teenagecancertrust.org
Read more on the Teenage Cancer Trust website
Provides free, reliable information about health issues including mental health, by sharing people's real-life experiences.
There are organisations and support services in your local area that you can access. You can ask your specialist nurse or doctor for more information about cancer services near you.
The NHS website has a service that tells you about local information and support in England.
NHS Inform gives information about illness, treatments and NHS services for people in Scotland.
NHS 111 Wales gives health advice and information for people living in Wales.
The Northern Ireland Cancer Network (NICaN) website tells you where to find cancer information and support in Northern Ireland.
Last reviewed: 02 Jan 2025
Next review due: 02 Jan 2028
Symptoms include changes to a mole, freckle or normal patch of skin. Doctors use a checklist of signs to look out for. But it helps to know what your skin normally looks like.
Coping with melanoma skin cancer can be difficult. You might find it helpful to talk about your feelings. And there are people who can support you and your family.
If you've had melanoma skin cancer, it's important to keep an eye on your skin and protect it from the sun whilst still getting enough vitamin D.
Get support to cope with emotional, practical and physical issues when you have advanced melanoma skin cancer.
Find out about general cancer organisations, other resources and support.
Melanoma develops in cells called melanocytes. You have these in your skin and other parts of your body. Melanoma that starts in the skin is called melanoma skin cancer.
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