Worried about melanoma at the moment

[Fishmanpa]

So you are going to continue "researching"?

Apparently so.... It would be beneficial to look back at your previous threads as you'll see the same pattern forming. Try to put a stop to it now before it takes over.

Positive thoughts

[BlueIris]

Seriously, DO NOT FALL DOWN THIS HOLE. I made that mistake worrying about my husband and it took me years to move past it. I honestly think a less tolerant man would've left me.

Stop researching, you're not a damned dermatologist and you can't tell these things.

Telling you this from a place of love because I think we're quite alike in certain respects.

[O_O]

I'm not really researching rn 😬

I just read the risk factors. Risk is drastically increased, apparently, with over 50 normal moles. It's not like the moles turn cancerous, it's more that actually having moles increases the risk. But I don't know why. I want to know WHY.

But I'm not researching.

[pulisa]

You don't need to know why. That's your HA trigger. You are researching.

[nomorepanic]

Just stop the sunbathing and that will make a big difference.

You don't need to know all the whys and ins and outs.

[WiseMonkey]

I'm also pale skinned, dark haired, green eyed and very freckly ... (of Celtic origin). Plus I live in New Zealand which has one of the highest UV ratings in the world.

I get a complete body check once a year, from a dermatologist and handle anything that comes up in the interim. I've had a few things removed and none have been melanoma. Being over sixty, I am getting more solar keratosis and squamous cell issues arise. The specialist says my saving grace is that I lived in England until I was seven!

If you're worried, see a private specialist once a year then put your mind at rest. I don't mess around with skin things because as a teenager I was a sun bunny and I know my risk. Take care x

[O_O]

Thanks guys, yes I might look into the costs of a full body scan each year. I think I'll also ask my GP if we can remove the messed up looking mole.

I remember definitely getting some sunburn with peeling on my shoulders when I was about 10. Then, in my teens, I fortunately had a slightly Gothic phase and avoided the sun. Then I started sunbathing in I guess my late teens / early 20s and got a bad sunburn like every year 🤦🏻*♀️ For I guess the last five (?) years I haven't done that, and just this year have started doing the 20 mins on sunny days thing.

I wouldn't feel so bad about it if I just had freckles, not so many moles!

You look super brown, Wise! I wouldn't have guessed you were Celtic like me.

[O_O]

I just did some risk assessments and my risk of developing melanoma in the next five years is 0.57%, which is 'high' but not like mega super bad.

I wish I was better at telling freckles from moles. Some of my moles are very distinct, and some are smaller and more freckle like... but I still believe they are moles because if I look very closely they look kind of different.

Might post photos later.

I know that my risk won't go away no matter what happens, so I just have to find a way of handling the skin cancer anxiety indefinitely. It's not like other types of cancer where I do not have a particular risk. This is a cancer where I really am at risk, due to my skin type and my past behaviours.

[BlueIris]

Don't post photos, there aren't any dermatologists on here that I'm aware of and you risk triggering others.

[WiseMonkey]

I wouldn't feel so bad about it if I just had freckles, not so many moles!

You look super brown, Wise! I wouldn't have guessed you were Celtic like me.

I have moles and freckles and the brown is the NZ summer! My brother (who's nine years younger than me) had a melanoma about ten years ago and because he has regular skin checks, it was picked up and he is fine. He and I don't have mole maps, just a Dr that looks over our whole body. This is a very thorough way of viewing and these specialists know just what they're looking for. Mole maps are available it just our preference not to have them.