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louise123_uk
11-04-10, 16:23
Convinced I have skin cancer! Have quite alot of moles maybe 30-40 or so, quite a few bigger than the tip of a pencil point (the end you write with). I had looked up what makes a mole abnormal and when I look a few seem to meet criteria, i.e. are bigger than should be, look different colours, have jagged outlines, arent symmetrical etc, about 4 are also quite raised up indeed. Plus have one on my side that is like a red lump I always thought was a chiken pox scar till someone told me these were white!

Ive had alot of them for years, but in last 2 years would say have about 15 or so new ones. I cant say whether any of ones Ive had for years have got bigger really, cant remember how big they were before, just that they were there! None are itchy I dont think, and havent noticed bleeding.

I have always hated sun, and am fair skinned, have maybe been sunburnt 3 or 4 times as a child and once last year on bck of neck but never to a peeling extent, more a red for a day or two and the area feels warm extent. Have only used a sunbed maybe 3 times when was about 12 and only for about 10-15 mins each time, never since.

I went to docs and mentioned it, however, was just an after thought bit at the end when went about something else, so all he did was look at about 3 of them frm somewhat of a distance, ask if they itched or had got bigger (which couldnt really answer), and he just said well unless they itch, bleed or get noticeably bigger no reason to worry!!!

I have heard of lots of people who never went out in sun much developing skin cancer and having no symptoms bar the mole i.e. no feeling unwell, or itchinor bleeding!!

Shouldnt he have sent me to a dermatologist? Can I ask to see one? Plus if did get referred to one would they ahve to biopsy each one to check for cancer!

Am also worried as have previusly mentioned on here lymph nodes behind each ear half way up head that are always able to be felt, and one that is able to be felt under right ear (again pea size!).

Scared must have skin cancer and that it has spread to lymph nodes and now could also be god knows where! Not having a good day lol. Think partly due to one of my dads friends feeling lymph node in neck, doc saying its nothing and turned out to be a seconary cancer, and worst bit is hes seen loads of specialist and no one can find where the primary cancer is they just keep referring him and he keeps getting scans and being told we'l have to wait till it shows itself!! Plus anotehr friend of his has bowel cancer and a woman at work has skin cancer, so cant escape!!

I have worried about my moles before bu its all come to a head now a big panic about them! Im 26 and female

Peter_Scott
11-04-10, 17:37
Hi OP,

Even so called normal moles grow and can change, and as we get older you can get new pigmented spots for no reason. However it is important to get any suspicious mole looked at by the doctor. I know someone who has had a couple of moles removed that looked sus and grew/bleed. It is an easy thing to get your GP to remove a mole for testing IF it looks sus, most turn out to be fine. My friends turned out to be pre cancerous so lucky for them that it was removed in time. Yes sitting in sun too long does not help especially if you are fair skinned.

Peter

RichW
12-04-10, 01:47
Convinced I have skin cancer! Have quite alot of moles maybe 30-40 or so, quite a few bigger than the tip of a pencil point (the end you write with). I had looked up what makes a mole abnormal and when I look a few seem to meet criteria, i.e. are bigger than should be, look different colours, have jagged outlines, arent symmetrical etc, about 4 are also quite raised up indeed. Plus have one on my side that is like a red lump I always thought was a chiken pox scar till someone told me these were white!

Ive had alot of them for years, but in last 2 years would say have about 15 or so new ones. I cant say whether any of ones Ive had for years have got bigger really, cant remember how big they were before, just that they were there! None are itchy I dont think, and havent noticed bleeding.

I have always hated sun, and am fair skinned, have maybe been sunburnt 3 or 4 times as a child and once last year on bck of neck but never to a peeling extent, more a red for a day or two and the area feels warm extent. Have only used a sunbed maybe 3 times when was about 12 and only for about 10-15 mins each time, never since.

I went to docs and mentioned it, however, was just an after thought bit at the end when went about something else, so all he did was look at about 3 of them frm somewhat of a distance, ask if they itched or had got bigger (which couldnt really answer), and he just said well unless they itch, bleed or get noticeably bigger no reason to worry!!!

I have heard of lots of people who never went out in sun much developing skin cancer and having no symptoms bar the mole i.e. no feeling unwell, or itchinor bleeding!!

Shouldnt he have sent me to a dermatologist? Can I ask to see one? Plus if did get referred to one would they ahve to biopsy each one to check for cancer!

Am also worried as have previusly mentioned on here lymph nodes behind each ear half way up head that are always able to be felt, and one that is able to be felt under right ear (again pea size!).

Scared must have skin cancer and that it has spread to lymph nodes and now could also be god knows where! Not having a good day lol. Think partly due to one of my dads friends feeling lymph node in neck, doc saying its nothing and turned out to be a seconary cancer, and worst bit is hes seen loads of specialist and no one can find where the primary cancer is they just keep referring him and he keeps getting scans and being told we'l have to wait till it shows itself!! Plus anotehr friend of his has bowel cancer and a woman at work has skin cancer, so cant escape!!

I have worried about my moles before bu its all come to a head now a big panic about them! Im 26 and female

Hi There

I had the same fear. When I lived in the UK I asked to be referred to a dermatologist and my request was granted. Tell your GP that for peace of mind, you wish to have a second opinion from a dermatologist. This year again I found myself convinced I was going to be diagnosed with a T4 melanoma only to be told I was all clear - I live in New Zealand now and they have the highest rate of Melanoma Skin Cancer in the world! If you are moley, like me, then you might want to consider getting a mole map done. During this procedure the dermatologist maps your moles on a body chart and studies them under a very powerful magnifying camera which is viewed real time - you'll be able to see these images as well. From these images they can tell with certainty whether a mole is suspicious or not. The mole map goes onto digital file along with snapshots of the magnified images and can then be used for comparison at follow up visits.

Hope this helps - let me know how you go.

Cheers

P.S. I'm a 30 year old male and grew up Cape Town, South Africa spending lots of time in the sun and on the beach, I'm also fair-skinned i.e. blonde hair, blue eyes.


Rich