Melanoma screening expert in Raleigh, NC area?

If you don't know of a good dermatologist in the Research Triangle area, then recommending that she start with a dematologist who practices at a melanoma clinic at Duke or UNC-Chapel Hill is a good suggestion.

You should have stopped there. We don't appreciate snarky comments about social media or being unaware. Nasty and pointless.

Personally, I am not aware of local plumbers until I need a plumber. Or local dentists until I need a dentist. Or melanoma doctors until I need a melanoma doctor. I think Allison is smart to ask that question here. Hopefully, somebody who actually goes to a good melanoma dermatologist in the Raleigh area will help her out– courteously. 

If you don't know of a good dermatologist in the Research Triangle area, then recommending that she start with a dematologist who practices at a melanoma clinic at Duke or UNC-Chapel Hill is a good suggestion.

You should have stopped there. We don't appreciate snarky comments about social media or being unaware. Nasty and pointless.

Personally, I am not aware of local plumbers until I need a plumber. Or local dentists until I need a dentist. Or melanoma doctors until I need a melanoma doctor. I think Allison is smart to ask that question here. Hopefully, somebody who actually goes to a good melanoma dermatologist in the Raleigh area will help her out– courteously. 

If you don't know of a good dermatologist in the Research Triangle area, then recommending that she start with a dematologist who practices at a melanoma clinic at Duke or UNC-Chapel Hill is a good suggestion.

You should have stopped there. We don't appreciate snarky comments about social media or being unaware. Nasty and pointless.

Personally, I am not aware of local plumbers until I need a plumber. Or local dentists until I need a dentist. Or melanoma doctors until I need a melanoma doctor. I think Allison is smart to ask that question here. Hopefully, somebody who actually goes to a good melanoma dermatologist in the Raleigh area will help her out– courteously. 

Actually, unless your "we" is the Melanoma Research Foundation or  a self appointed representative of the collective posters of this board, then what you do or do not appreciate is of no value.

Quiite often, it is important (from this one posters opinion) to reach out in one's own neighborhood, and THEN lacking a resource, look beyond.

The internet, nor social media is not always the best first diagnosis medical resource.

Just so you know, I HAVE been to both of the Comprhensive Cancer Centers mentioned for Melanoma.

Bluntly.

Actually, unless your "we" is the Melanoma Research Foundation or  a self appointed representative of the collective posters of this board, then what you do or do not appreciate is of no value.

Quiite often, it is important (from this one posters opinion) to reach out in one's own neighborhood, and THEN lacking a resource, look beyond.

The internet, nor social media is not always the best first diagnosis medical resource.

Just so you know, I HAVE been to both of the Comprhensive Cancer Centers mentioned for Melanoma.

Bluntly.

Actually, unless your "we" is the Melanoma Research Foundation or  a self appointed representative of the collective posters of this board, then what you do or do not appreciate is of no value.

Quiite often, it is important (from this one posters opinion) to reach out in one's own neighborhood, and THEN lacking a resource, look beyond.

The internet, nor social media is not always the best first diagnosis medical resource.

Just so you know, I HAVE been to both of the Comprhensive Cancer Centers mentioned for Melanoma.

Bluntly.

In the beginning I was too paralyzed to look anywhere but here for guidance and understanding so please just stop.

In the beginning I was too paralyzed to look anywhere but here for guidance and understanding so please just stop.

In the beginning I was too paralyzed to look anywhere but here for guidance and understanding so please just stop.

POW If you want to comment on what you consider "snarky" comments then avoid being snarky yourself. You are not the MRF. The we you use is the royal we. Unless you are the queen it is not appropriate.

POW If you want to comment on what you consider "snarky" comments then avoid being snarky yourself. You are not the MRF. The we you use is the royal we. Unless you are the queen it is not appropriate.

POW If you want to comment on what you consider "snarky" comments then avoid being snarky yourself. You are not the MRF. The we you use is the royal we. Unless you are the queen it is not appropriate.

First, judging from POW's responses I would guess she is in the sciences where using "we" over "I" in writing is mandatory.  It becomes a habit.

Second, there is an ethos of kindness on this board.  Many of us understand that during stress people might ask questions that they could have answered themselves but in asking them publicly they might get additional information and support.  Perhaps, in addition to an answer someone might say something encouraging – and in the midst of anxiety that is a powerful thing.

Fen

First, judging from POW's responses I would guess she is in the sciences where using "we" over "I" in writing is mandatory.  It becomes a habit.

Second, there is an ethos of kindness on this board.  Many of us understand that during stress people might ask questions that they could have answered themselves but in asking them publicly they might get additional information and support.  Perhaps, in addition to an answer someone might say something encouraging – and in the midst of anxiety that is a powerful thing.

Fen

First, judging from POW's responses I would guess she is in the sciences where using "we" over "I" in writing is mandatory.  It becomes a habit.

Second, there is an ethos of kindness on this board.  Many of us understand that during stress people might ask questions that they could have answered themselves but in asking them publicly they might get additional information and support.  Perhaps, in addition to an answer someone might say something encouraging – and in the midst of anxiety that is a powerful thing.

Fen

I really don't want to get off the topic of what we all came here for….the deadly disease of melanoma, but I must say I agree with Pow and Fen.  However informative Anonymous might have been, there was also an element of as Pow said, snarkiness.  Just because you think it doesn't mean you have to say it.  Most of us are under a great deal of stress and some of us are fighting for our lives (I certainly am).   I am new to the board and have been so impressed with the knowledge and willingness to help others in a kind and respectful way, Anonymous.  

Thank you to all of you who have taken the time to answer my questions without making me feel embarrassed for asking them.  Let's continue to make this the standard.  We're in this fight together.  Hopefully the numbers of participation will increase!

….tschmith

I really don't want to get off the topic of what we all came here for….the deadly disease of melanoma, but I must say I agree with Pow and Fen.  However informative Anonymous might have been, there was also an element of as Pow said, snarkiness.  Just because you think it doesn't mean you have to say it.  Most of us are under a great deal of stress and some of us are fighting for our lives (I certainly am).   I am new to the board and have been so impressed with the knowledge and willingness to help others in a kind and respectful way, Anonymous.  

Thank you to all of you who have taken the time to answer my questions without making me feel embarrassed for asking them.  Let's continue to make this the standard.  We're in this fight together.  Hopefully the numbers of participation will increase!

….tschmith

I really don't want to get off the topic of what we all came here for….the deadly disease of melanoma, but I must say I agree with Pow and Fen.  However informative Anonymous might have been, there was also an element of as Pow said, snarkiness.  Just because you think it doesn't mean you have to say it.  Most of us are under a great deal of stress and some of us are fighting for our lives (I certainly am).   I am new to the board and have been so impressed with the knowledge and willingness to help others in a kind and respectful way, Anonymous.  

Thank you to all of you who have taken the time to answer my questions without making me feel embarrassed for asking them.  Let's continue to make this the standard.  We're in this fight together.  Hopefully the numbers of participation will increase!

….tschmith

Wow, guess Allison gets a good feeling from MPIP just posing a simple question.  The lesion you were concerned about doesn't have a high risk pathology, but your history and that it changed does.  You might try a forum that has moderation,  www.melanomaforum.org and ask for suggestions of centers nearby.  doing your own self exam is important too.

Wow, guess Allison gets a good feeling from MPIP just posing a simple question.  The lesion you were concerned about doesn't have a high risk pathology, but your history and that it changed does.  You might try a forum that has moderation,  www.melanomaforum.org and ask for suggestions of centers nearby.  doing your own self exam is important too.

Wow, guess Allison gets a good feeling from MPIP just posing a simple question.  The lesion you were concerned about doesn't have a high risk pathology, but your history and that it changed does.  You might try a forum that has moderation,  www.melanomaforum.org and ask for suggestions of centers nearby.  doing your own self exam is important too.

Realistically, a mole with that diagnosis really proposed little threat.  Have the other suspect moles changed in any way?  Typically, you are looking for the ugly duckling.  Since your recent biopsy was NOT melanoma and unlikely to become melanoma, then I would be less worried about those identical looking moles. (Most atypical nevi never change to melanoma)., it is important to find a doc that you feel comfortable with.  I would personally be looking for a doc who does Mole Mapping.  However, those are few and far between.  Second to that, I would find a derm who integrates taking and comparing photos as a regular part of an office visit.  The goal is to evaluate the changing moles and those that are a true ugly duckling.  This is difficult if you have DNS, but that is where the photographs can really help isolate candidates for biopsy and those that can stay as is.  Remember, looks alone can be deceiving and it will be hard for any doctor to single out every melanoma.  (Something like 73% of all PCP docs misdiagnose melanoma and we've seen our share of specialists do that too)  I would have been fine with the mole you had removed staying on my body until I felt it was changing for the worse.  We know most of my moles are dysplastic, but knowing that doesn't make me remove them until they change.

Best wishes,

Janner

(3 MM primaries, stage 1B since 1992)

Realistically, a mole with that diagnosis really proposed little threat.  Have the other suspect moles changed in any way?  Typically, you are looking for the ugly duckling.  Since your recent biopsy was NOT melanoma and unlikely to become melanoma, then I would be less worried about those identical looking moles. (Most atypical nevi never change to melanoma)., it is important to find a doc that you feel comfortable with.  I would personally be looking for a doc who does Mole Mapping.  However, those are few and far between.  Second to that, I would find a derm who integrates taking and comparing photos as a regular part of an office visit.  The goal is to evaluate the changing moles and those that are a true ugly duckling.  This is difficult if you have DNS, but that is where the photographs can really help isolate candidates for biopsy and those that can stay as is.  Remember, looks alone can be deceiving and it will be hard for any doctor to single out every melanoma.  (Something like 73% of all PCP docs misdiagnose melanoma and we've seen our share of specialists do that too)  I would have been fine with the mole you had removed staying on my body until I felt it was changing for the worse.  We know most of my moles are dysplastic, but knowing that doesn't make me remove them until they change.

Best wishes,

Janner

(3 MM primaries, stage 1B since 1992)

Realistically, a mole with that diagnosis really proposed little threat.  Have the other suspect moles changed in any way?  Typically, you are looking for the ugly duckling.  Since your recent biopsy was NOT melanoma and unlikely to become melanoma, then I would be less worried about those identical looking moles. (Most atypical nevi never change to melanoma)., it is important to find a doc that you feel comfortable with.  I would personally be looking for a doc who does Mole Mapping.  However, those are few and far between.  Second to that, I would find a derm who integrates taking and comparing photos as a regular part of an office visit.  The goal is to evaluate the changing moles and those that are a true ugly duckling.  This is difficult if you have DNS, but that is where the photographs can really help isolate candidates for biopsy and those that can stay as is.  Remember, looks alone can be deceiving and it will be hard for any doctor to single out every melanoma.  (Something like 73% of all PCP docs misdiagnose melanoma and we've seen our share of specialists do that too)  I would have been fine with the mole you had removed staying on my body until I felt it was changing for the worse.  We know most of my moles are dysplastic, but knowing that doesn't make me remove them until they change.

Best wishes,

Janner

(3 MM primaries, stage 1B since 1992)