Multi coloured mole/freckle - terrified. Please help!!

[BrokenGirl]

I've been freaking out the last day or so about skin cancer and then I read a previous thread here on skin cancer and it's made me worse.
I'm not sure if you'd call it a mole or a freckle because it's not raised but it's on the outside of my thigh. It's not a perfect circle with perfect round borders, there are a few jagged edges, but to glance quickly at it you'd say it's fairly round.
It's about the size of a pencil eraser, 7mm in diameter. One part of it is brown, the other part of it is dark brown/close to black and there are one or two reddish specks around the outside.
I noticed it and looked properly at it about 6 - 8 months ago and I really don't think it's changed in size or colour since then.
Surely if this was skin cancer it would be changing and growing, right??
Please help. I don't know what to do and I'm struggling not to google (I know the damage that it can do)

[KeeKee]

I was worried about Melanoma massively in December. It was the worst my health anxiety has been.

Mine is multiple colours and is definitely not round. I was given the name of what it was (possible atypical or something) and told subtle changes are normal and if it was anything dodgy it would be growing rapidly. Small changes are normal.

I guess it wouldn't hurt to get a doctor to look at it but sounds normal to me.

[Fishmanpa]

If it hasn't changed and you've had it for 6-8 months or longer, it's fine. The reason this is happening now is because you were triggered by another post on the forum. If you hadn't read the post, you wouldn't have self-checked and this post wouldn't be here ;)

Positive thoughts

[lscmichelle]

I've been freaking out the last day or so about skin cancer and then I read a previous thread here on skin cancer and it's made me worse.
I'm not sure if you'd call it a mole or a freckle because it's not raised but it's on the outside of my thigh. It's not a perfect circle with perfect round borders, there are a few jagged edges, but to glance quickly at it you'd say it's fairly round.
It's about the size of a pencil eraser, 7mm in diameter. One part of it is brown, the other part of it is dark brown/close to black and there are one or two reddish specks around the outside.
I noticed it and looked properly at it about 6 - 8 months ago and I really don't think it's changed in size or colour since then.
Surely if this was skin cancer it would be changing and growing, right??
Please help. I don't know what to do and I'm struggling not to google (I know the damage that it can do)


OH MY GOD that's exactly my mole that im worrying about!!! except that mine is raised and doesnt have redness around and is oval shaped, but one part of it is very light brown and the other half is dark brown!!! freaking out but my parents just brushed it off and say that its nothing... im still convinced its something serious and am going mad :(

[Gary A]

OH MY GOD that's exactly my mole that im worrying about!!! except that mine is raised and doesnt have redness around and is oval shaped, but one part of it is very light brown and the other half is dark brown!!! freaking out but my parents just brushed it off and say that its nothing... im still convinced its something serious and am going mad :(

Try not to say things like this to other posters please.

[BrokenGirl]

Oh I'm so sorry you're going through this as well. It's so horrible!!!!
I just don't know if I should go to a doctor and get it checked out or not. My usual doctor who was sooo nice left a few months ago and the other doctor who is now there isn't so nice :weep: She doesn't have much patience for my HA!!
Would you consider going to a doctor to get yours checked out??
It's the dark brown/black part of it is really freaking me out....

[Gary A]

Oh I'm so sorry you're going through this as well. It's so horrible!!!!
I just don't know if I should go to a doctor and get it checked out or not. My usual doctor who was sooo nice left a few months ago and the other doctor who is now there isn't so nice :weep: She doesn't have much patience for my HA!!
Would you consider going to a doctor to get yours checked out??
It's the dark brown/black part of it is really freaking me out....

The thing is, doctors should be encouraging people to get moles checked out if they're truly concerned.

I would get it checked, not because I think it's anything of note, but because it's going to nag at you if you don't. Its unlikely to be anything of concern simply due to the fact you've had it so long with no changes, but it will take a doctor literally 30 seconds to have a quick glance.

Have it checked if it's going to worry you.

[BrokenGirl]

Thanks Gary. I think I'll have to get it checked out, and just forget the fact that the doctor is a .................
At least if she can tell me there and then my mind will be put at ease. and if it has to be tested then I suppose the sooner I get that done the better.
Oh how I hate this HA :weep:

[hanshan]

You don't know what to do about a mole? See a dermatologist, get the all clear, then have a friend take photographs of all of your body, with close ups of existing moles that have been given the all clear.

Next time your health anxiety flares up, you can compare the mole you are worried about with the photograph, and see that there has been no change. By the same token, if there has been a change, this would be good reason for a biopsy to be taken - with some mild anxiety, but no call for freaking out.

[Fishmanpa]

have a friend take photographs of all of your body, with close ups

I like this idea :D "Honey, get naked... I need to take a photographic record of all your moles and I need close ups. Ohhh... the oil? That's so the moles will show up better!"

Positive thoughts

[BrokenGirl]

Good one Fishmanpa!!!!
In the midst of all this horrible HA you just made me burst out laughing :yesyes:

Laughter is definitely a tonic!!!

[hanshan]

I remember a medical student friend of mine years ago hinting that some medical specialties bordered on perversions, but I don't want to go into that.

Most dermatologists will do a full-body skin check - not just moles but solar keratoses, etc - but in Australia for a dermatologist you need a referral from a GP (and I assume the same in the UK).

Actually, where I come from, close to Sydney, Australia, had the dubious distinction some time back of being the skin cancer capital of the world, due to the Aussies' love of the beach. But now you can go fully covered to the beach - in fact it's recommended (I don't want to get political here).

One result is that we now have in Australia walk-in skin cancer clinics - no appointment necessary and bulk-billed (ie free) - not a specialist dermatologist, but they will arrange for biopsies of anything dubious.

[heyitsmeyou]

I like this idea :D "Honey, get naked... I need to take a photographic record of all your moles and I need close ups. Ohhh... the oil? That's so the moles will show up better!"

Positive thoughts

Lmao