A new study led by ACEMID PhD candidate Lejie Zheng is shedding light on an often-overlooked aspect of skin cancer—the psychological impact of being diagnosed with melanoma in situ.
Published in the Australasian Journal of Dermatology, the qualitative study, Psychological Wellbeing After a Diagnosis of Melanoma In Situ: A Qualitative Interview Study, explores how people experience and cope with an early-stage melanoma diagnosis, revealing that even when melanoma is detected early, the emotional impact can be significant.
Looking beyond the diagnosis
Australia has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world, with diagnoses of melanoma in situ—the earliest stage of melanoma, where cancer cells remain confined to the outer layer of the skin—increasing at an even faster rate than invasive melanoma. While advances in early detection have contributed to these rising numbers, less is known about how people emotionally respond to receiving this diagnosis.
To better understand these experiences, Leijie interviewed individuals who had been diagnosed with melanoma in situ within the previous year. Using interviews, the research explored participants' thoughts, feelings and coping strategies following their diagnosis.
A range of emotional responses
The study identified nine key themes describing participants' experiences, highlighting that psychological responses varied considerably between individuals and often evolved over time.
Many participants described feelings of shock, uncertainty and concern immediately after diagnosis, while others experienced reassurance knowing their melanoma had been detected early. The research also found that age and life stage influenced how people interpreted and managed their diagnosis, with younger and older participants expressing different concerns and priorities.
Importantly, participants described drawing on personal coping strategies and support from family, friends and healthcare professionals to navigate their diagnosis.
Positive changes following diagnosis
Despite the emotional challenges, many participants reported making meaningful changes after their melanoma diagnosis. Increased vigilance around skin checks and improved sun protection behaviours were common, demonstrating how a diagnosis can motivate long-term health behaviour change.
These findings highlight the importance of supporting patients not only medically but also psychologically as they adjust to their diagnosis.
Informing better patient care
The study concludes that psychological responses to melanoma in situ are diverse and influenced by individual circumstances, life stage and available support networks. The findings suggest there is an opportunity to better integrate psychological support into melanoma care through tailored, person-centred interventions that address the specific needs of patients diagnosed with early-stage melanoma.
Link to publication: Psychological Wellbeing After a Diagnosis of Melanoma In Situ: A Qualitative Interview Study - PubMed
