New Moles? Trip to the derm?

This topic has 27 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 10 months ago by Cindy33.

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- June 6, 2012 at 8:56 pm
- Quote
jaredmiller16
Participant
After my diagnosis, I was at the derm every three months and now I am at the derm every six. However, while I am pregnant, he wants to see me every three months. I was there right before delivering my son last week.

I noticed while nursing that I have a new mole under my breast. Lets just say this mole is not a result of sun exposure 🙂 Because of the odd place, I do not think the derm checked this mole in my last visit. Its not visitable on our pictures and I do not remember him looking there..

After my diagnosis, I was at the derm every three months and now I am at the derm every six. However, while I am pregnant, he wants to see me every three months. I was there right before delivering my son last week.

I noticed while nursing that I have a new mole under my breast. Lets just say this mole is not a result of sun exposure 🙂 Because of the odd place, I do not think the derm checked this mole in my last visit. Its not visitable on our pictures and I do not remember him looking there..

Needless to say, I am not to worried about it. Its a reddish color, perfectly symmetrical, and has the texture of a skin tag. It looks nothing like what my mel did.

But, I read on a website that any new mole should be reported to the derm immediately regardless of what it looks like. Although this is good advice, I am wondering since I am pretty educated on mel if this is necessary since I go to the derm as much as I do. I get new moles all the time and I would be in his office at least once a month if I followed this advice. I will do whatever do save my life, but then again, I do not want to drive my derm crazy in the meantime. What do you all do?

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- - June 6, 2012 at 9:02 pm
  - Quote
  natasha
  Participant
  Hi! I would not worry a lot but better to show this mole to your doc. Pregnancy makes a lot of difference in our body and I had my melanoma developed during pregnancy.
- - June 6, 2012 at 9:02 pm
  - Quote
  natasha
  Participant
  Hi! I would not worry a lot but better to show this mole to your doc. Pregnancy makes a lot of difference in our body and I had my melanoma developed during pregnancy.
- - June 6, 2012 at 9:02 pm
  - Quote
  natasha
  Participant
  Hi! I would not worry a lot but better to show this mole to your doc. Pregnancy makes a lot of difference in our body and I had my melanoma developed during pregnancy.
- - June 6, 2012 at 9:13 pm
  - Quote
  EmilyandMike
  Participant
  I know a number of people diagnosed during or after pregnancy.
  
  Now this might be controversial – and I dont know if I would use it myself, but it is an option ..there is a new phone app that you can use called "SpotCheck". What you do is take a pic of the suspect mole and it is sent it to a dermatologist to review. They ask questions about the mole also – like "does it itch" and then recommend if you should get it checked. It costs $5 to send a pic in.
  
  I am kind of torn about this app – while I think this might work for some people – those that dont have health insurance – I think that everyone should visit a real derm in person once a year.
  - June 6, 2012 at 9:17 pm
    
    Quote
    natasha
    Participant
    
    I was even told by Doc not to become pregnant during next 3 years after diagnosys…
  - June 6, 2012 at 9:17 pm
    
    Quote
    natasha
    Participant
    
    I was even told by Doc not to become pregnant during next 3 years after diagnosys…
  - June 6, 2012 at 9:17 pm
    
    Quote
    natasha
    Participant
    
    I was even told by Doc not to become pregnant during next 3 years after diagnosys…
- - June 6, 2012 at 9:13 pm
  - Quote
  EmilyandMike
  Participant
  I know a number of people diagnosed during or after pregnancy.
  
  Now this might be controversial – and I dont know if I would use it myself, but it is an option ..there is a new phone app that you can use called "SpotCheck". What you do is take a pic of the suspect mole and it is sent it to a dermatologist to review. They ask questions about the mole also – like "does it itch" and then recommend if you should get it checked. It costs $5 to send a pic in.
  
  I am kind of torn about this app – while I think this might work for some people – those that dont have health insurance – I think that everyone should visit a real derm in person once a year.
- - June 6, 2012 at 9:13 pm
  - Quote
  EmilyandMike
  Participant
  I know a number of people diagnosed during or after pregnancy.
  
  Now this might be controversial – and I dont know if I would use it myself, but it is an option ..there is a new phone app that you can use called "SpotCheck". What you do is take a pic of the suspect mole and it is sent it to a dermatologist to review. They ask questions about the mole also – like "does it itch" and then recommend if you should get it checked. It costs $5 to send a pic in.
  
  I am kind of torn about this app – while I think this might work for some people – those that dont have health insurance – I think that everyone should visit a real derm in person once a year.
- - June 6, 2012 at 9:24 pm
  - Quote
  jaredmiller16
  Participant
  Its been 9 years since my 1a melanoma was found.
  - June 6, 2012 at 9:35 pm
    
    Quote
    natasha
    Participant
    
    Oh ,I see. 9 years is safe time to become pregnant.
    
    I think it is not something serious ,can be pigmentation, but speak with Doc for sure.
  - June 6, 2012 at 9:35 pm
    
    Quote
    natasha
    Participant
    
    Oh ,I see. 9 years is safe time to become pregnant.
    
    I think it is not something serious ,can be pigmentation, but speak with Doc for sure.
  - June 6, 2012 at 9:35 pm
    
    Quote
    natasha
    Participant
    
    Oh ,I see. 9 years is safe time to become pregnant.
    
    I think it is not something serious ,can be pigmentation, but speak with Doc for sure.
  - June 6, 2012 at 9:47 pm
    
    Quote
    jaredmiller16
    Participant
    
    I do not mess around when it comes to mel. I have researched this cancer till I was blue in the face. I am very proactive. Even paid $$$ out of my own pocket for pictures. But, I was hoping to get some advice from fellow molemates on what they do with new moles. Like I said, I get new moles all the time, more when I am not preggers than when I am (even after I swore off the sun), but am questioning if I need to make a visit to the derm for every new mole.
    
    About spotcheck. Interesting. Like you, I am on the fence. I know so many people who failed to visit the derm because of insurance and are now at advanced stages. Then again, my derm uses the dermascope with all my moles. Interesting.
  - June 6, 2012 at 9:47 pm
    
    Quote
    jaredmiller16
    Participant
    
    I do not mess around when it comes to mel. I have researched this cancer till I was blue in the face. I am very proactive. Even paid $$$ out of my own pocket for pictures. But, I was hoping to get some advice from fellow molemates on what they do with new moles. Like I said, I get new moles all the time, more when I am not preggers than when I am (even after I swore off the sun), but am questioning if I need to make a visit to the derm for every new mole.
    
    About spotcheck. Interesting. Like you, I am on the fence. I know so many people who failed to visit the derm because of insurance and are now at advanced stages. Then again, my derm uses the dermascope with all my moles. Interesting.
  - June 6, 2012 at 9:57 pm
    
    Quote
    jaredmiller16
    Participant
    
    My husband had melanoma too, so we can both be a little parinod when it comes to moles. His mother died of mel a few years ago.
  - June 6, 2012 at 9:57 pm
    
    Quote
    jaredmiller16
    Participant
    
    My husband had melanoma too, so we can both be a little parinod when it comes to moles. His mother died of mel a few years ago.
  - June 6, 2012 at 9:57 pm
    
    Quote
    jaredmiller16
    Participant
    
    My husband had melanoma too, so we can both be a little parinod when it comes to moles. His mother died of mel a few years ago.
  - June 6, 2012 at 9:47 pm
    
    Quote
    jaredmiller16
    Participant
    
    I do not mess around when it comes to mel. I have researched this cancer till I was blue in the face. I am very proactive. Even paid $$$ out of my own pocket for pictures. But, I was hoping to get some advice from fellow molemates on what they do with new moles. Like I said, I get new moles all the time, more when I am not preggers than when I am (even after I swore off the sun), but am questioning if I need to make a visit to the derm for every new mole.
    
    About spotcheck. Interesting. Like you, I am on the fence. I know so many people who failed to visit the derm because of insurance and are now at advanced stages. Then again, my derm uses the dermascope with all my moles. Interesting.
- - June 6, 2012 at 9:24 pm
  - Quote
  jaredmiller16
  Participant
  Its been 9 years since my 1a melanoma was found.
- - June 6, 2012 at 9:24 pm
  - Quote
  jaredmiller16
  Participant
  Its been 9 years since my 1a melanoma was found.
- - June 7, 2012 at 1:56 am
  - Quote
  Janner
  Participant
  The advice I was given by the doctor who is doing a "mole mapping" clinical study is: new and different is of concern. new and like other moles is ok. If this mole is new and stands out to you as being strange, it's probably worth running by with your doc. In the end, I'd do what makes YOU comfortable!
- - June 7, 2012 at 1:56 am
  - Quote
  Janner
  Participant
  The advice I was given by the doctor who is doing a "mole mapping" clinical study is: new and different is of concern. new and like other moles is ok. If this mole is new and stands out to you as being strange, it's probably worth running by with your doc. In the end, I'd do what makes YOU comfortable!
  - June 8, 2012 at 11:27 pm
    
    Quote
    Cindy33
    Participant
    
    I would be on my way to the dermatologist. I've had to primary mels and docs did not think either one looked suspicious at all. Now they are suspicious of everything, especially any new mole – new mole = changing mole for me. Changing moles are bad and come off. I a little paranoid.
  - June 8, 2012 at 11:27 pm
    
    Quote
    Cindy33
    Participant
    
    I would be on my way to the dermatologist. I've had to primary mels and docs did not think either one looked suspicious at all. Now they are suspicious of everything, especially any new mole – new mole = changing mole for me. Changing moles are bad and come off. I a little paranoid.
  - June 8, 2012 at 11:27 pm
    
    Quote
    Cindy33
    Participant
    
    I would be on my way to the dermatologist. I've had to primary mels and docs did not think either one looked suspicious at all. Now they are suspicious of everything, especially any new mole – new mole = changing mole for me. Changing moles are bad and come off. I a little paranoid.
- - June 7, 2012 at 1:56 am
  - Quote
  Janner
  Participant
  The advice I was given by the doctor who is doing a "mole mapping" clinical study is: new and different is of concern. new and like other moles is ok. If this mole is new and stands out to you as being strange, it's probably worth running by with your doc. In the end, I'd do what makes YOU comfortable!