The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Does it look like a melanoma?

Forums General Melanoma Community Does it look like a melanoma?

  • Post
Viewing 8 reply threads
  • Replies
      Julie in SoCal
      Participant

      Hi Anon-

      Unfortunately it is impossible to tell if a mole is melanoma or not just by looking.  Even doctors can't do it.  Only a biopsy can make that determination.  So if you really want to know, you'll need to go see a dr.

      A good rule of thumb though is to know your moles so you'll recognized change in them.  If you have lots, take pictures of them so you can tell if something changes.  Change is the biggest indicator that something may be wrong.

      Peace,

      Julie

       

      Julie in SoCal
      Participant

      Hi Anon-

      Unfortunately it is impossible to tell if a mole is melanoma or not just by looking.  Even doctors can't do it.  Only a biopsy can make that determination.  So if you really want to know, you'll need to go see a dr.

      A good rule of thumb though is to know your moles so you'll recognized change in them.  If you have lots, take pictures of them so you can tell if something changes.  Change is the biggest indicator that something may be wrong.

      Peace,

      Julie

       

      Julie in SoCal
      Participant

      Hi Anon-

      Unfortunately it is impossible to tell if a mole is melanoma or not just by looking.  Even doctors can't do it.  Only a biopsy can make that determination.  So if you really want to know, you'll need to go see a dr.

      A good rule of thumb though is to know your moles so you'll recognized change in them.  If you have lots, take pictures of them so you can tell if something changes.  Change is the biggest indicator that something may be wrong.

      Peace,

      Julie

       

      ET-SF
      Participant

      Why don't you want to go to the doctor?  If you're worried, you should go!  If I had something suspicious looking like that, I'd go.

      Find the ABCDE's of skin cancer here: http://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/abcds-of-melanoma-skin-cancer

      There's also the "ugly duckling" principle, that whatever you're looking at looks very different from the other stuff happening on your body.

       

      ET-SF
      Participant

      Why don't you want to go to the doctor?  If you're worried, you should go!  If I had something suspicious looking like that, I'd go.

      Find the ABCDE's of skin cancer here: http://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/abcds-of-melanoma-skin-cancer

      There's also the "ugly duckling" principle, that whatever you're looking at looks very different from the other stuff happening on your body.

       

      ET-SF
      Participant

      Why don't you want to go to the doctor?  If you're worried, you should go!  If I had something suspicious looking like that, I'd go.

      Find the ABCDE's of skin cancer here: http://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/abcds-of-melanoma-skin-cancer

      There's also the "ugly duckling" principle, that whatever you're looking at looks very different from the other stuff happening on your body.

       

      stars
      Participant

      Probably nothing, but if you like being alive then go to a doctor and get a biopsy. No-one on God's green earth can tell from a photo, the only sure diagnosis is with a biopsy. Melanoma is not kind, it won't wait for you to find the money/courage/opportunity to go the doctor.

      stars
      Participant

      Probably nothing, but if you like being alive then go to a doctor and get a biopsy. No-one on God's green earth can tell from a photo, the only sure diagnosis is with a biopsy. Melanoma is not kind, it won't wait for you to find the money/courage/opportunity to go the doctor.

      stars
      Participant

      Probably nothing, but if you like being alive then go to a doctor and get a biopsy. No-one on God's green earth can tell from a photo, the only sure diagnosis is with a biopsy. Melanoma is not kind, it won't wait for you to find the money/courage/opportunity to go the doctor.

Viewing 8 reply threads
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
About the MRF Patient Forum

The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

Popular Topics