› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Looking for input on melanoma risk
- This topic has 9 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 7 months ago by
mjanssentx.
- Post
-
- June 18, 2016 at 1:07 pm
I was wondering if some of you could chime in as I am somewhat confused after my dernatologist visit. I went to my derm for a heat rash on my torso. Did a half marathon in 95 degree heat :-(. She examined the rash and then wanted to do a mole check. She said this isn't good you have a lot of moles you need to keep on top of these because your very likely to develope melanoma. She wants me coming back every 6 months and she didn't cut abything out. I've been stressed out since her comment. I wanted to know if this is true? I am 35 years old, in great shape, don't smoke or drink and come from a family that never had melanoma. I have had a few decent sunburns in my life but never blistening. I tend to tan pretty quickly when I'm in the sun. I pretty much lived in the sun since I was a tot and now im sick over this. None of my moles bothered me before this comment but i now notice a lot of them. I have maybe 150-200 on my body but they are all rather tiny maybe 1mm-2mm with about 6-7 in the 3-4mm range. So does having a great deal of moles destin me for Melanoma ?
- Replies
-
-
- June 18, 2016 at 2:01 pm
No. If most of them look atypical — have some atypical characteristics, you could have dysplastic nevus syndrome. But if as you said, most of them are tiny – that doesn't sound like a typical description. EVERYONE should have a yearly exam. If you have any larger moles are atypical looking moles or moles that stand out to you – take pictures. Watch for CHANGE. CHANGE is the most important factor. I doubt you are destined for melanoma but if you take some simple precautions, you will be better off. First – even though you tan easily, tanning is skin damage. Period. Damage can contribute to all types of skin cancer. Second. Watch for change or the ugly duckling – a mole that looks different from all your other moles. Moles that change should be biopsied. Moles that are unique (especially if they are changing) are high risk. Even changing moles don't have to be melanoma. But again, the risk goes up significantly. All I can say is just pay attention to your body!
-
- June 18, 2016 at 2:30 pm
Thanks, I looked at pictures of dysplastic Nevus syndrome and none of mine look like that. From a few feet away you can only see a few of my moles but when you get close to me you can see the tiny ones. I've had 3 moles removed in the last 5 years. 2 were normal but looked weird and one was barely atypical whatever that means.
-
- June 18, 2016 at 2:30 pm
Thanks, I looked at pictures of dysplastic Nevus syndrome and none of mine look like that. From a few feet away you can only see a few of my moles but when you get close to me you can see the tiny ones. I've had 3 moles removed in the last 5 years. 2 were normal but looked weird and one was barely atypical whatever that means.
-
- June 18, 2016 at 2:30 pm
Thanks, I looked at pictures of dysplastic Nevus syndrome and none of mine look like that. From a few feet away you can only see a few of my moles but when you get close to me you can see the tiny ones. I've had 3 moles removed in the last 5 years. 2 were normal but looked weird and one was barely atypical whatever that means.
-
- June 18, 2016 at 2:01 pm
No. If most of them look atypical — have some atypical characteristics, you could have dysplastic nevus syndrome. But if as you said, most of them are tiny – that doesn't sound like a typical description. EVERYONE should have a yearly exam. If you have any larger moles are atypical looking moles or moles that stand out to you – take pictures. Watch for CHANGE. CHANGE is the most important factor. I doubt you are destined for melanoma but if you take some simple precautions, you will be better off. First – even though you tan easily, tanning is skin damage. Period. Damage can contribute to all types of skin cancer. Second. Watch for change or the ugly duckling – a mole that looks different from all your other moles. Moles that change should be biopsied. Moles that are unique (especially if they are changing) are high risk. Even changing moles don't have to be melanoma. But again, the risk goes up significantly. All I can say is just pay attention to your body!
-
- June 18, 2016 at 2:01 pm
No. If most of them look atypical — have some atypical characteristics, you could have dysplastic nevus syndrome. But if as you said, most of them are tiny – that doesn't sound like a typical description. EVERYONE should have a yearly exam. If you have any larger moles are atypical looking moles or moles that stand out to you – take pictures. Watch for CHANGE. CHANGE is the most important factor. I doubt you are destined for melanoma but if you take some simple precautions, you will be better off. First – even though you tan easily, tanning is skin damage. Period. Damage can contribute to all types of skin cancer. Second. Watch for change or the ugly duckling – a mole that looks different from all your other moles. Moles that change should be biopsied. Moles that are unique (especially if they are changing) are high risk. Even changing moles don't have to be melanoma. But again, the risk goes up significantly. All I can say is just pay attention to your body!
-
- June 18, 2016 at 4:02 pm
Take pictures. Lots of them. Any descent camera, even most cell phones.
Don't take 5 pictures…take 50-75 of them from all angles. And don't be shy. Do it every six months so you have a good set of baselines.
Doesn't matter who takes them….I don't share mine on social media but that is just me 🙂
It costs nothing except about 10-15 minutes of time.
DO IT TODAY
Best wishes
Michel
-
- June 18, 2016 at 4:02 pm
Take pictures. Lots of them. Any descent camera, even most cell phones.
Don't take 5 pictures…take 50-75 of them from all angles. And don't be shy. Do it every six months so you have a good set of baselines.
Doesn't matter who takes them….I don't share mine on social media but that is just me 🙂
It costs nothing except about 10-15 minutes of time.
DO IT TODAY
Best wishes
Michel
-
- June 18, 2016 at 4:02 pm
Take pictures. Lots of them. Any descent camera, even most cell phones.
Don't take 5 pictures…take 50-75 of them from all angles. And don't be shy. Do it every six months so you have a good set of baselines.
Doesn't matter who takes them….I don't share mine on social media but that is just me 🙂
It costs nothing except about 10-15 minutes of time.
DO IT TODAY
Best wishes
Michel
-
Tagged: cutaneous melanoma
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.