Hey Brit,
My husband had an ugly mole on the underside of his right forearm. Where normally, the sun wouldn't hit. Due to his job, he has a total physical every two years. Each time, he would point out the mole and the Drs. would say to keep an eye on it. NEVER did they say what to keep an eye out for. Last October he went to our regular doctor for an unrelated issue, and she took one look at the mole and sent him directly to a dermatologist that very same day. She didn't even treat the issue he was there for. It turned out to be Melanoma and we were sent directly to MD Anderson. It was a very large tumor by that time, however due to great blessings, his lymph nodes, liver tests, lung x-rays & a multitude of other tests came back clean. Even our doctors were suprised.
My husband goes to MD Anderson every three months for full body checks by three different staff members (including his Onc.), lung x-rays, blood tests, liver tests and in between times he goes to the dermatologist for a check up. He will continue this for three years. Then we go to every six months until the fifth year. Then once a year for the rest of his life.
If you are the slightest bit concerned about any mole, at any time, go back to your dermatologist for a "professional" look. My husband's mole reflected all of the "bad" things to look for in a mole. My mistake was to assume that if a doctor wasn't concerned, neither was I. Now, I'm the mole detective. I drive my husband, family & friends (and yup, some strangers too) crazy! lol