› Forums › General Melanoma Community › How small was your melanoma when diagnosed?
- This topic has 12 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 8 months ago by
Scared99.
- Post
-
- July 30, 2016 at 11:49 am
Hi, my name is Emily. I'm 23 years old and when I was a lot younger, I made the foolish decision to start using tanning beds. I haven't for a few years, but since I stopped I've been keeping a close eye on my skin. I'm currently feeling helpless. I keep seeing spots on my body, all under 2 mm. My GP will not refer me to a dermatologist unless a spot is 6 mm. I have told him about my tanning history, and he told me that it's rare to get melanoma at my age even after my use of tanning beds. But when I read online it says otherwise and now I feel completely doomed that suffering from melanoma is my fate. Can a spot that's 2mm be deadly? I'm in Canada and to see a specialist you have to get a doctor referral to get in to see a dermatologist. Should I be concerned about anything under 2mm? If I have melanoma, I want to catch it early and do what everything says online is to get skin cancer screenings but my doctor won't help me. What should I do?
thank you in advance.. You all sound like lovely people on this site…
- Replies
-
-
- July 30, 2016 at 2:12 pm
Relax! I found this board the same way you did! Health anxiety! I don't have melanoma but I tanned in my early 20's for abour 4 years and then sunbathed any chance I could for the next 10 years. I am now 36 and this winter suddenly freaked out about my moles. I have the same type you have tons of tiny moles. I went to a university that specializes in melanoma. The doctor asked about my family history of melanoma ( no one in family ever had it), my skins reaction to sun ( usually get slight burn after the winter that turns tan) he said I am low risk. I told him my tanning history and he said it raises my risk minimally and all my moles are normal. Watch for change and that's it!!!
Enjoy your life and get help for health anxiety before it cripples you !
-
- July 30, 2016 at 7:10 pm
Thank you so much for your reply! I've had so much anxiety over this and everything online just convinces me that it's inevitable that I will get or already have melanoma. I've been obsessing over spots on my body for months. My doctor just tells me not to worry that everything I read online is way over exaggerated but I can't help but keep researching.
i definitely need to stop researching and get on with my life. So difficult some days! Thanks again for your reply!!
-
- July 31, 2016 at 2:03 pm
My doctor told me to check the moles once a month. If that creates anxiety have your significant other check them once a month and take pictures if needed. Unless you have dysplastic Nevus syndrom of multiple confirmed atypical moles you are fine! I have maybe 150 or so tiny moles all over my body. They are so tiny if you saw me on the beach you wouldn't even notice them until you got close to me. Most people with tons of moles go thru their entire life without getting melanoma or even seeing a derm! The more you obsess over your moles the more sinister they look! So don't ! Just check once a month
-
- July 31, 2016 at 2:03 pm
My doctor told me to check the moles once a month. If that creates anxiety have your significant other check them once a month and take pictures if needed. Unless you have dysplastic Nevus syndrom of multiple confirmed atypical moles you are fine! I have maybe 150 or so tiny moles all over my body. They are so tiny if you saw me on the beach you wouldn't even notice them until you got close to me. Most people with tons of moles go thru their entire life without getting melanoma or even seeing a derm! The more you obsess over your moles the more sinister they look! So don't ! Just check once a month
-
- July 31, 2016 at 2:03 pm
My doctor told me to check the moles once a month. If that creates anxiety have your significant other check them once a month and take pictures if needed. Unless you have dysplastic Nevus syndrom of multiple confirmed atypical moles you are fine! I have maybe 150 or so tiny moles all over my body. They are so tiny if you saw me on the beach you wouldn't even notice them until you got close to me. Most people with tons of moles go thru their entire life without getting melanoma or even seeing a derm! The more you obsess over your moles the more sinister they look! So don't ! Just check once a month
-
- July 30, 2016 at 7:10 pm
Thank you so much for your reply! I've had so much anxiety over this and everything online just convinces me that it's inevitable that I will get or already have melanoma. I've been obsessing over spots on my body for months. My doctor just tells me not to worry that everything I read online is way over exaggerated but I can't help but keep researching.
i definitely need to stop researching and get on with my life. So difficult some days! Thanks again for your reply!!
-
- July 30, 2016 at 7:10 pm
Thank you so much for your reply! I've had so much anxiety over this and everything online just convinces me that it's inevitable that I will get or already have melanoma. I've been obsessing over spots on my body for months. My doctor just tells me not to worry that everything I read online is way over exaggerated but I can't help but keep researching.
i definitely need to stop researching and get on with my life. So difficult some days! Thanks again for your reply!!
-
- July 30, 2016 at 2:12 pm
Relax! I found this board the same way you did! Health anxiety! I don't have melanoma but I tanned in my early 20's for abour 4 years and then sunbathed any chance I could for the next 10 years. I am now 36 and this winter suddenly freaked out about my moles. I have the same type you have tons of tiny moles. I went to a university that specializes in melanoma. The doctor asked about my family history of melanoma ( no one in family ever had it), my skins reaction to sun ( usually get slight burn after the winter that turns tan) he said I am low risk. I told him my tanning history and he said it raises my risk minimally and all my moles are normal. Watch for change and that's it!!!
Enjoy your life and get help for health anxiety before it cripples you !
-
- July 30, 2016 at 2:12 pm
Relax! I found this board the same way you did! Health anxiety! I don't have melanoma but I tanned in my early 20's for abour 4 years and then sunbathed any chance I could for the next 10 years. I am now 36 and this winter suddenly freaked out about my moles. I have the same type you have tons of tiny moles. I went to a university that specializes in melanoma. The doctor asked about my family history of melanoma ( no one in family ever had it), my skins reaction to sun ( usually get slight burn after the winter that turns tan) he said I am low risk. I told him my tanning history and he said it raises my risk minimally and all my moles are normal. Watch for change and that's it!!!
Enjoy your life and get help for health anxiety before it cripples you !
-
- July 31, 2016 at 12:36 am
Soooo….first, I would get a different doctor. You are the only one who has to live in your body:) I’m 36 and have a family history of melanoma. Got my first one at 18. Why spend your energy worrying? Switch doctors and see a dermatologist:) -
- July 31, 2016 at 12:36 am
Soooo….first, I would get a different doctor. You are the only one who has to live in your body:) I’m 36 and have a family history of melanoma. Got my first one at 18. Why spend your energy worrying? Switch doctors and see a dermatologist:) -
- July 31, 2016 at 12:36 am
Soooo….first, I would get a different doctor. You are the only one who has to live in your body:) I’m 36 and have a family history of melanoma. Got my first one at 18. Why spend your energy worrying? Switch doctors and see a dermatologist:)
-
Tagged: cutaneous melanoma
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.