Sia

I have had 7 primaries in 16 years. All of them early. I get scared and freaked every time. But like the previous posts say I eventually find a tentative peace. That peace is helped by 4 to 6 trips to the derm every year, and many biopsies.and chest X-rays and blood work once a year

I have had 7 primaries in 16 years. All of them early. I get scared and freaked every time. But like the previous posts say I eventually find a tentative peace. That peace is helped by 4 to 6 trips to the derm every year, and many biopsies.and chest X-rays and blood work once a year

I have had 7 primaries in 16 years. All of them early. I get scared and freaked every time. But like the previous posts say I eventually find a tentative peace. That peace is helped by 4 to 6 trips to the derm every year, and many biopsies.and chest X-rays and blood work once a year

Hi. I am also scared and have been for a long time. I was first diagnosed with 2 primary level 1 mels in 1996. I am now 43 years old and am dealing with my 7th primary. All of mine have been under 1mm so I consider myself lucky, but this last one has thrown me for a loop because it looked so benign. I had it removed because it was new. It looked completely different than the other 6. Of course there was no great consistency with the others and how they presented but this last one was especially sneaky.

I go to the derm at least every 3 months. The doctors I see are great but I am usually the one who finds the mels. It is all about change in my case because all of my moles are irregular.

I have pictures of my skin but I have so many moles that it is tough to keep track of all of them.

To help with the horrible anxiety of this syndrome I take anti anxiety meds–lexapro 10 mg and the very occasional Xanax. Also, I am taking an aggressive approach with biopsies. It is not fun, but I have a few moles taken off every 3 months. I have one derm who does a beautiful job with shaving as little as possible so the scars eventually blend in with my cornucopia of spots. I also have heard that people with multiple early stage primaries have decent survival rates– because they are more likely to continue with skin screenings to further early detection. I try to remind myself of this when I start to go negative.

Also, when I was first diagnosed when I was in my late 20s I had a great team of doctors at the uw in Seattle who got together and told me as a group that I could live a relatively normal life. I would have to expect more primaries but they should continue to be early stage if I stay vigilant with self exams and with derm visits.

My eating habits over the years has moved from a terrible amount of sugar to a gradually move to more fruit and veg. I try to limit alcohol because it is a depressant and I read that alcohol is connected to an increase in skin cancer.

Ultimately cancer sucks. It is a very grim club to belong to. Thanks for reaching out to us with multiple primaries.

Hi. I am also scared and have been for a long time. I was first diagnosed with 2 primary level 1 mels in 1996. I am now 43 years old and am dealing with my 7th primary. All of mine have been under 1mm so I consider myself lucky, but this last one has thrown me for a loop because it looked so benign. I had it removed because it was new. It looked completely different than the other 6. Of course there was no great consistency with the others and how they presented but this last one was especially sneaky.

I go to the derm at least every 3 months. The doctors I see are great but I am usually the one who finds the mels. It is all about change in my case because all of my moles are irregular.

I have pictures of my skin but I have so many moles that it is tough to keep track of all of them.

To help with the horrible anxiety of this syndrome I take anti anxiety meds–lexapro 10 mg and the very occasional Xanax. Also, I am taking an aggressive approach with biopsies. It is not fun, but I have a few moles taken off every 3 months. I have one derm who does a beautiful job with shaving as little as possible so the scars eventually blend in with my cornucopia of spots. I also have heard that people with multiple early stage primaries have decent survival rates– because they are more likely to continue with skin screenings to further early detection. I try to remind myself of this when I start to go negative.

Also, when I was first diagnosed when I was in my late 20s I had a great team of doctors at the uw in Seattle who got together and told me as a group that I could live a relatively normal life. I would have to expect more primaries but they should continue to be early stage if I stay vigilant with self exams and with derm visits.

My eating habits over the years has moved from a terrible amount of sugar to a gradually move to more fruit and veg. I try to limit alcohol because it is a depressant and I read that alcohol is connected to an increase in skin cancer.

Ultimately cancer sucks. It is a very grim club to belong to. Thanks for reaching out to us with multiple primaries.

Hi. I am also scared and have been for a long time. I was first diagnosed with 2 primary level 1 mels in 1996. I am now 43 years old and am dealing with my 7th primary. All of mine have been under 1mm so I consider myself lucky, but this last one has thrown me for a loop because it looked so benign. I had it removed because it was new. It looked completely different than the other 6. Of course there was no great consistency with the others and how they presented but this last one was especially sneaky.

I go to the derm at least every 3 months. The doctors I see are great but I am usually the one who finds the mels. It is all about change in my case because all of my moles are irregular.

I have pictures of my skin but I have so many moles that it is tough to keep track of all of them.

To help with the horrible anxiety of this syndrome I take anti anxiety meds–lexapro 10 mg and the very occasional Xanax. Also, I am taking an aggressive approach with biopsies. It is not fun, but I have a few moles taken off every 3 months. I have one derm who does a beautiful job with shaving as little as possible so the scars eventually blend in with my cornucopia of spots. I also have heard that people with multiple early stage primaries have decent survival rates– because they are more likely to continue with skin screenings to further early detection. I try to remind myself of this when I start to go negative.

Also, when I was first diagnosed when I was in my late 20s I had a great team of doctors at the uw in Seattle who got together and told me as a group that I could live a relatively normal life. I would have to expect more primaries but they should continue to be early stage if I stay vigilant with self exams and with derm visits.

My eating habits over the years has moved from a terrible amount of sugar to a gradually move to more fruit and veg. I try to limit alcohol because it is a depressant and I read that alcohol is connected to an increase in skin cancer.

Ultimately cancer sucks. It is a very grim club to belong to. Thanks for reaching out to us with multiple primaries.

You need to stay out of the sun. Any tan is damage to your skin. I have sun sleeves and a hat that I carry in my purse in case I find myself in the sun too long and I wear 15 plus everywhere I don’t have clothing. Pale is beautiful!

You need to stay out of the sun. Any tan is damage to your skin. I have sun sleeves and a hat that I carry in my purse in case I find myself in the sun too long and I wear 15 plus everywhere I don’t have clothing. Pale is beautiful!

You need to stay out of the sun. Any tan is damage to your skin. I have sun sleeves and a hat that I carry in my purse in case I find myself in the sun too long and I wear 15 plus everywhere I don’t have clothing. Pale is beautiful!

I have had 7 primaries. Almost every one presented differently. I have had dark brown ones that looked a little aggravated. I have had light brown ones that were big and non uniform, I have had tiny ones that had a little flaking, I have had raised pink bumps that had a small discoloration on the side. Please do not look at only the moles that look like your original Mel. I look for change, change change and when it doubt take it out!

I have had 7 primaries. Almost every one presented differently. I have had dark brown ones that looked a little aggravated. I have had light brown ones that were big and non uniform, I have had tiny ones that had a little flaking, I have had raised pink bumps that had a small discoloration on the side. Please do not look at only the moles that look like your original Mel. I look for change, change change and when it doubt take it out!

I have had 7 primaries. Almost every one presented differently. I have had dark brown ones that looked a little aggravated. I have had light brown ones that were big and non uniform, I have had tiny ones that had a little flaking, I have had raised pink bumps that had a small discoloration on the side. Please do not look at only the moles that look like your original Mel. I look for change, change change and when it doubt take it out!