CancerCompass message board discussion started by Tinadi on 6/18/2006 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,5700,0.htm Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ i was treated for a melanoma in 1998. it was a small freckle-like mole that changed slightly by developing a tiny bit of scaling. it was determined that it was on the surface, caught early, and did not spread to outside area. i have had consistent checkups ever since, first at 3 months, then 6 months, and now every year, along with yearly bloodwork and chest xrays. i have stayed out of direct sunlight (no tanning or sitting in the sun ever!) and i wear a 30 sunblock if i am ever in the sun for the day. i fall short when i go out walking about and fail to put on sunblock whether i plan to be in the sun or not, and i also fail to wear a hat. now the questions!!! one: am i taking enough precautions? and two: all of a sudden i feel a tenderness in my arm beneath the original melanoma site. the itty bitty freckle right near the original melanoma site developed a miniscual scab, which has now flaked off, well, actually, i scratched it off. i am of course extremely nervous about this, and my dermatologist cannot see me for another 3 weeks. any thoughts, ideas or suggestions? Tinadi Sun, 18 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT I think you are doing the right things. Continue with yearly checkups that include chest x rays and continue to minimize sun exposure. I think you can ask your doc in 3 weeks about your concern. Oncrx Tue, 20 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT thank you for your support. it has eased my mind a bit! Tinadi Tue, 20 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT