Melanoma diagnosis: traumatic impact of the event on the patient

The aim of our study was to consider the distressing impact of the diagnosis in a group of patients with metastatic melanoma, and the effects it could have on the quality of life of the patients.

We proposed an Impact Event Scale (IES-R) to a group of 31 patients. The patients were positive to the distress thermometer (DS) and accepted the psychological support. After six months from the start of the treatment we made a semi-structured interview of 10 multiple choice questions.

Sixty-five per cent of women and 50% of men report that all the event related to the disease, cause emotions that recall the disease. Eighty-two per cent of women compared to 50% of men, report that the thought of their medical condition tends to affect their quality of sleep; the patients report feelings of anger and irritation (41% of the women and 78% of the men).

The traumatic aspects following the diagnosis of melanoma burst powerfully into the life of these patients, who show different reactions, also according to gender.