Can you take Mounjaro if you’ve had skin cancer?

Jump to: Understanding melanoma remission | How Mounjaro works | Current guidelines | Practical tips | Take home message

You can take Mounjaro (tirzepatide) if you’re in complete remission from melanoma skin cancer and are no longer receiving active treatment.

Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, with approximately 17,500 new cases diagnosed each year, accounting for 5% of all new cancer cases.

Five-year survival rates have improved significantly, with almost 95% of people surviving melanoma for 5 years or more in England.

If you’re considering Mounjaro after melanoma treatment, it’s essential to consult with your dermatologist or oncologist first. They can provide personalised advice based on your specific cancer history, current health status, and treatment history.

In most cancers, maintaining a healthy weight during remission can help prevent the likelihood of cancer recurrence.

However, the relationship between excess body fat and skin cancer is more complex. Still, losing weight and maintaining a healthier weight will likely contribute to better overall health and improve quality of life in remission.

For those who struggle with their weight following melanoma treatment, medications like Mounjaro might provide valuable support as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Understanding melanoma remission

Melanoma remission refers to a period when cancer symptoms decrease or disappear completely following treatment.

Medical professionals typically classify remission into two categories:

1. Complete remission: No detectable signs of cancer remain after treatment. This means scans, blood tests, and other examinations show no evidence of cancer. However, microscopic cancer cells may still be present.

2. Partial remission: The cancer has responded to treatment and decreased in size, but it hasn’t disappeared completely. Some visible signs of cancer or elevated tumour markers may still be present.

Following melanoma treatment, patients typically enter a surveillance period with regular skin checks, lymph node examinations, and sometimes imaging tests to monitor for any signs of recurrence.

The frequency of these follow-ups is highest in the first 2-3 years after treatment, gradually decreasing if no signs of cancer return.

In the UK, the NHS recommends follow-up care for melanoma patients based on the stage at diagnosis, with more intensive monitoring for higher-risk cases. This usually involves regular skin examinations with dermatologists or specialist nurses.

How Mounjaro works

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a dual-action medication that mimics two hormones in your body: GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide).

These hormones play important roles in regulating appetite, digestion, and blood sugar levels.

When you take Mounjaro, it:

1. Reduces hunger by communicating with your brain’s appetite control centre

2. Slows digestion so you feel fuller for longer after eating

3. Improves insulin functions and helps regulate blood sugar

These effects help create a calorie deficit, which leads to weight loss.

Clinical trials have shown Mounjaro supports an average weight loss of over 25% of body weight over 72 weeks, significantly more than earlier weight-loss medications.

For melanoma survivors specifically, Mounjaro might offer additional benefits beyond weight loss:

1. Reduced inflammation: Weight loss is associated with decreased inflammatory markers in the body, which may create a less favourable environment for cancer cell development.

2. Improved metabolic health: Better blood sugar control and reduced insulin resistance might support overall health after cancer treatment.

Current guidelines

While there are no specific guidelines addressing Mounjaro use after melanoma treatment, several general principles apply:

1. Cancer remission status: Most healthcare providers recommend that patients be in complete remission before starting weight-loss medications.

2. Individualised assessment: Rather than following a rigid waiting period, decisions should be based on your specific medical history, treatment response, and current health status.

Your oncologist or dermatologist is best positioned to evaluate when it might be appropriate for you to consider weight management medications.

3. Coordination of care: Your cancer specialist should be consulted before starting Mounjaro to ensure it doesn’t interfere with your cancer monitoring or treatment plan.

4. Pre-existing conditions: If you have diabetes or other metabolic conditions along with a history of melanoma, these factors will influence the decision about Mounjaro’s suitability.

In the UK, Mounjaro was approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in November 2023 for weight management in adults with:

• A BMI over 30 (obesity)
• A BMI between 27-30 (overweight) with weight-related health conditions

These guidelines don’t specifically exclude cancer survivors, but individual assessment by healthcare providers is essential.

Practical tips

1. Keep in touch with your healthcare team

If you decide to take Mounjaro after melanoma treatment:

• Regular monitoring: Continue all recommended cancer follow-up appointments, including skin checks and examinations.
• Medication reviews: Schedule regular reviews with your GP or specialist to assess how Mounjaro is working for you.
• Symptom awareness: Familiarise yourself with potential signs of melanoma recurrence, such as new or changing moles, and report these promptly to your healthcare team.
• Integrated care: Ensure all your healthcare providers, including your oncologist, dermatologist, and GP, are aware of all medications you’re taking.

On Second Nature’s Mounjaro programme, you’ll complete monthly check-in forms that are reviewed by the clinical team to monitor your progress and any side effects.

2. Eat a diet based on whole foods

Nourishing your body with nutrient-dense foods becomes especially important when taking Mounjaro after cancer treatment.

Second Nature’s balanced plate model offers a foundation to build a healthy diet on:

• Fill half your plate with a variety of non-starchy vegetables to provide essential vitamins, minerals, fibre, and plant compounds that support overall health
• Dedicate a quarter of your plate to quality protein sources – like poultry, fish, eggs, lean meat, tofu, or legumes – which become especially crucial during weight loss to preserve precious muscle mass
• The remaining quarter accommodates complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, sweet potatoes, or whole grains, providing sustained energy without blood sugar spikes
• Include a tablespoon of fats from whole foods like extra virgin olive oil, avocado, or nuts, which help your body absorb essential nutrients

Cancer survivors should pay special attention to overall nutrition, aiming for nutrient-dense foods that support healing and recovery.

Smaller meals with protein-rich snacks in between meals may be easier to manage if you experience reduced appetite while on Mounjaro.

3. Exercise regularly

Regular physical activity offers multiple benefits after melanoma treatment:

• Overall health: Exercise improves cardiovascular health, reduces inflammation, and supports immune function.
• Mental wellbeing: Physical activity helps manage stress and anxiety that often accompany cancer recovery.
• Weight management: Combining Mounjaro with regular exercise leads to better results than medication alone.

Start with low-impact activities like walking, swimming, or gentle yoga, and gradually increase intensity as your strength improves.

Take home message

Mounjaro can be a valuable tool to support weight loss after melanoma remission, but coordination with your cancer care team is essential:

• Wait until you’re in complete remission and have finished all active cancer treatments
• Consult with your oncologist or dermatologist about the appropriate timing to start weight management medications based on your individual circumstances
• Maintain all recommended follow-up appointments and cancer screenings
• Work with your healthcare team to ensure safe use
• Focus on a holistic approach that includes proper nutrition and building other healthy habits

By taking these precautions and prioritising personalised medical guidance, you can potentially benefit from Mounjaro’s significant weight-loss effects while minimising any risks to your cancer recovery.

Second Nature’s medication programme

Second Nature provides Mounjaro as part of our Mounjaro weight-loss programme.

Why should you choose Second Nature over other providers assuming you’re eligible?

For peace of mind.

Second Nature has worked with the NHS for over 6 years, providing weight-loss programmes across the UK.

While our Mounjaro weight-loss programme is private and not currently used by the NHS, we’ve built the programme focusing on scientific evidence, patient safety, and data security.

We hope that our 6+ years of working with the NHS and building a track record of effective weight-loss results will give you peace of mind to give us a try.