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Worried this may be melanoma
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Worried this may be melanoma

› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › Worried this may be melanoma

  • Post
    • April 12, 2017 at 2:48 pm
    AlanaMur14
    Participant

      I have had this mole since my mid teens over the year it's slowly been changing colors and it shocked me when looking st it the other day just how ugly it is. I'm looking for advice. I'm trying to get it looked at asap but it seems that I'll have to wait months to get into a dermatologist. What did your melanoma look like? Is this something I should worry about?  I can't seem to figure out how to upload a picture but it is a normal sized more I'd say, oval with some coloring on the outside that is light brown. With black tan spots in it now. 

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    • Replies
        • April 12, 2017 at 3:53 pm
        Bethharte
        Participant

          Best to goo back to the ABC'c: A=asymetrical, B=border ( is it changing or defind), C=Color ( is it more than one or dark) E=evolve ( is it evolving or changing. Why not first start with you General Practioner. Many times they can be the first stop and will refer to surgeon for biopsy prior to having a dermatologist appointment.

          • April 12, 2017 at 4:44 pm
          jennunicorn
          Participant

            We all had different looking melanomas. Some had normal looking moles that did not follow the ABCDE rule, some did. There is just no way to know by looking at it, even a doctor cannot diagnose but just looking. A biopsy will have to be performed to know whether it is cancerous or not. Make the soonest appointment you can, like the previous person said you can even start with your GP and emphasize your concerns, they might be able to get you to a derm sooner for biopsy. If you make an appointment with a derm, make an appointment and then ask them to call you with any cancellations that open up a sooner appointment, that happens all the time and is sometimes the best way to get in somewhere busy.

              • April 12, 2017 at 7:59 pm
              Jamie1960
              Participant

                Your use of the word "ugly" says quite a bit about the change in something which has been a part of you for so long.

                +1 on the appointment with a dermatologist specializing in melanoma / cancers of the skin (versus the "acne and Botox" variety)

              • April 13, 2017 at 4:39 am
              UBContributor
              Participant

                You are doing good that you asking questions before your dr visit. I was not clever like you, went to the closest to my home dermatogolist who turned out to be worthless, just absolutely ruined all my future treament prospects. The other thing, your ugly looking mole may be just benign growth, while there are  cute and totally normal looking ones may be malignant. So find a MM specialist, this is a must. Since it has been few years, waiting couple of weeks for a good Dr would not make big difference

                  

                • April 13, 2017 at 7:34 am
                raun cesar
                Participant

                  Start with the general practitioner he will guide you further either dermatologist or to oncologist. You cannot tell by looking at what you are dealing with supportive tests, scans are required. Hoping things will unfold positively

                  • April 13, 2017 at 5:27 pm
                  NSNewf
                  Participant

                    Why is it going to be months for a dermatologist appointment?  Are you in Canada?

                      • April 13, 2017 at 7:48 pm
                      AlanaMur14
                      Participant

                        No I am in South Dakota. Every Derm I called was at least 2 month waiting list. 

                        • April 14, 2017 at 1:23 am
                        jennunicorn
                        Participant

                          What part of SD?

                        • April 13, 2017 at 7:50 pm
                        AlanaMur14
                        Participant

                          I am the original poster. I went today to my primary physician who removed the mole and sent it for biopsy, she said I should hear the results by my appointment next week to get my stitches removed. Thank you all for the helpful information! 

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