Melanoma Has Me Scared

Hi All!

 I have read many of your posts and find myself to be in a slightly different situation, but I am hoping that some of you may be able to provide me with some insight.   I have not been diagnosed with melanoma, but I fear that I may have a malignant mole.  Are there any signs of advanced melanoma that I can look for, other than the typical, symmetry, color....etc?

 I am a 27 year old female who was just diagnoses with Basal Cell Carcinoma on my back and am now due for a biopsy of a mole on my abdomen.  It is dark brown with irregular borders and about the size of a pencil eraser.  There is a tiny rim around the mole that is a tan color, but other than that, there is no other variation in color. It does not itch or bleed, but it does have a scaly appearance to it.  I know for sure that the mole has been there (basically the same size for 4 years) and that is what concerns me most.  The fact that it has not been growing radially, I am terrified that it has been growing deeper all this time.  Over the last several months, my underarms seem to have been swollen, but sort of just assumed it was due to weight gain and blew that off until now. Oh and now I read that Melanoma is the #1 cause of cancer deaths among women ages 25-30 =(  As I dont really have a bump anywhere in the spot, I have pretty much ruled out nodular, but my mole does look very much like a picture I found of superficial spreading melanoma.

I am hoping they can see me for my biopsy this week, but I am terrified. I was married just a few months ago and we are ready to start a family, but the possibility of melanoma has me deeply worried. I am so scared that it may have been spreading all this time and it will be too late.  Any words of advice of knowledge would be so greatly appreciated.

Thanks! Cheryl

You should be very proud that you are taking the necessary steps to have this mole removed and tested.  It is the only way the lab results will give you and your doctors the correct diagnosis. I know it is very concerning but the more quickly you have it removed and get the results, the better your "pysche" will be.  Waiting around can be frightening; I had melanoma years ago when my son was just 3 and it scared me too.  But now I am diligent in follow-ups for skins checks, etc. and hopefully won't have to deal with it again.  Hopefully yours will come back okay but hopefully you will also become a regular at the dermatologist every year for check-ups.  Keep us abreast of how you are doing.  I find this site to be most informative so keep in touch.

Hi Gin!

Thanks so much for replying =) I am scheduled to have BCC removed on 1/16 and  then she is going to biopsy one of my other suspicious moles and if it comes back as cancerous or precancerous, she is just going to remove them all.  She doesnt seem to be in any big hurry and that worrys me, that she is taking such a wait and see approach to an illness where early diagnosis is key.

 Now, my underarms have been sore for a few months (mainly when I type) but they are also sore to the touch throughout the day. Im not sure if my prodding has aggravated them of if they are swollen due to possible spread of the melanoma, that my RPN is taking a wait and see approach too.  I called several other Drs in the area and none of them can see me until Feb.  I did make an appt with my GP for Tuesday, so that he can check out my lymph nodes, but for now, Im just really scared.

Cheryl~ 

What kind of doctor are you seeing for the removal? 

 This is something that I have learned along the way.  I have gone to several dermatologists over the years and many of them did not make me feel very comfortable.  I continued looking until I found doctors that I felt were thorough and that made me feel comfortable with the care they were providing.  Do not settle for less that what you deserve in your medical care.  Write down your questions, take them with you, and do not let the doctor leave your room until you are satisfied that all of your concerns and questions have been addressed.  Begin researching so you will be able to ask the questions that they can then provide answers to that will help you.  I wish I had done that from the beginning.  I still look up info all of the time to try to educate myself and my family members/friends. 

Some web-sites you may want to go to (and there are many more):

www.aad.org

www.cancer.gov

www.skincheck.org

www.skincancer.org

www.cancer.org

I just got a reply to a message that I recently posted and that person said to go to Victorian Melanoma Service so I am going to look at that web-site to see what it has. 

 Keep in touch. 

 Ginger

 

Also look for the spot to be the color of an eraser.

You have found it early, great.My husband has had Melanoma since 1992

Its been a battle, with Our Lord, Prayers and Doctors, Ralph is still here..

Their has been  a day at a time.In 2003 his cancer returned and was terrible, all over his body.Took Chemo for 34 weeks, had to stop effecting his walking and much more. Its very much important to keep a Possive mind and be a fighter it works more than you can imagine.Ralph never had a day of sickness before.Stay close to friends and family, let them know how you are feeling and what your thoughts are talk its good let your fears be known, you will feel better.You found your's early Ralph was at a stage #4 and off the scale. We will keep you in our prayers. want to talk just email me

--- Message edited by CancerCompass staff: for personal protection, email address removed.  Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html ----

.   We will help.Possive Mind and be a Fighter. Jo and Ralph

 

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