› Forums › General Melanoma Community › should I remove my moles?
- This topic has 12 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 5 months ago by Karolina.
- Post
-
- November 8, 2011 at 2:57 pm
Hi,
since I have found out that my friend has a nodular melanoma, i started to be more concerned about myself as well. I have quite a lot of moles on my body and I was wondering whether it would be good to remove any of them which are kind of the biggest or the most "different"? Would removing moles prevent potential develop of melanoma?
Hi,
since I have found out that my friend has a nodular melanoma, i started to be more concerned about myself as well. I have quite a lot of moles on my body and I was wondering whether it would be good to remove any of them which are kind of the biggest or the most "different"? Would removing moles prevent potential develop of melanoma?
I saw a melanoma specialist last week and she didn’t suspect anything at the moment. She referred me to the photographer as she thinks that this is a good way of monitoring my moles: to have some pictures of my moles as a base for comparison of any changes. Sounds sensible… However, I was wondering if by removing two moles which I have on my back and which are prominent would be something right to do?
your views are very welcome
k.
- Replies
-
-
- November 8, 2011 at 3:04 pm
Since half of melanomas appear in new moles, wholesale removal of existing moles is not a good way to prevent melanoma. Truthfully, taking photos of your existing moles and then watching them for CHANGE is the best way to take care of yourself. Get the pictures and then do a monthly skin check using the pictures for comparison. Make sure the pictures also have an "overall" view (i.e. left front lower leg) so you have a baseline against new as well. New moles that look like your other moles aren't considered suspicious. But new and changing asymetrically or new and "different from all the others" are the keys to watch for. Be vigilant, not paranoid.
Best wishes,
Janner
-
- November 9, 2011 at 12:32 pm
Dear Karolina,
It is understandable, that you are scared to have melanoma as your friend recently got it, but a lat of people every day are diagnosed to have a melanoma. And a lot of people are diagnosed with various other diseases. It cannot prevent you from normal life, cuz otherwise you`ll have to live in fear all the time!
I agree that moles should be photographed, as this is one of the most reasonable ways how to monitore them, but I disagree with the opinion that you should do monthly skin check-ups. It is done for melanoma patiens, not for healthy people! Once a year is enough and very advisable.
So be cautious, but not obsessed with this.
Take care.
-
- November 9, 2011 at 12:32 pm
Dear Karolina,
It is understandable, that you are scared to have melanoma as your friend recently got it, but a lat of people every day are diagnosed to have a melanoma. And a lot of people are diagnosed with various other diseases. It cannot prevent you from normal life, cuz otherwise you`ll have to live in fear all the time!
I agree that moles should be photographed, as this is one of the most reasonable ways how to monitore them, but I disagree with the opinion that you should do monthly skin check-ups. It is done for melanoma patiens, not for healthy people! Once a year is enough and very advisable.
So be cautious, but not obsessed with this.
Take care.
-
- November 9, 2011 at 12:32 pm
Dear Karolina,
It is understandable, that you are scared to have melanoma as your friend recently got it, but a lat of people every day are diagnosed to have a melanoma. And a lot of people are diagnosed with various other diseases. It cannot prevent you from normal life, cuz otherwise you`ll have to live in fear all the time!
I agree that moles should be photographed, as this is one of the most reasonable ways how to monitore them, but I disagree with the opinion that you should do monthly skin check-ups. It is done for melanoma patiens, not for healthy people! Once a year is enough and very advisable.
So be cautious, but not obsessed with this.
Take care.
-
- November 8, 2011 at 3:04 pm
Since half of melanomas appear in new moles, wholesale removal of existing moles is not a good way to prevent melanoma. Truthfully, taking photos of your existing moles and then watching them for CHANGE is the best way to take care of yourself. Get the pictures and then do a monthly skin check using the pictures for comparison. Make sure the pictures also have an "overall" view (i.e. left front lower leg) so you have a baseline against new as well. New moles that look like your other moles aren't considered suspicious. But new and changing asymetrically or new and "different from all the others" are the keys to watch for. Be vigilant, not paranoid.
Best wishes,
Janner
-
- November 8, 2011 at 3:04 pm
Since half of melanomas appear in new moles, wholesale removal of existing moles is not a good way to prevent melanoma. Truthfully, taking photos of your existing moles and then watching them for CHANGE is the best way to take care of yourself. Get the pictures and then do a monthly skin check using the pictures for comparison. Make sure the pictures also have an "overall" view (i.e. left front lower leg) so you have a baseline against new as well. New moles that look like your other moles aren't considered suspicious. But new and changing asymetrically or new and "different from all the others" are the keys to watch for. Be vigilant, not paranoid.
Best wishes,
Janner
-
Tagged: cutaneous melanoma
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.