I was the typical sun worshiper (baby oil!) in my late teens/early adulthood. I had a I don't care attitude when people told me to be careful about skin cancer; I'll deal with it later..... Now I am a middle ages mom who is scared to death about developing skin cancer because of the stupid things I did in my youth...all for that "healthy glow".....I think this fear came out more intense because i have children who need me and I am responsible for.

I watch my skin for changes and try to visit my dermatologist at least once a year. I have an appoitment next week with my doctor but thought I'd drop a note here because I am an anxious individual and am really impressed with all the feedback and knowledge on this board regarding skin changes due to various conditions.

In my mid 20's I had a displastic nevi taken off, under my breast (a small black mole) and was told it was pre-cancerious. Okay

So I still sat in the sun (we go to Greece every summer, how cannot I?), but this time with protection and rarly burn, just tanned slowly.

I have noticed (over the past year) that I have BEEN getting more and more RED raised (blood filled??) beauty marks across my stomach and chest area. One in particular is under my breast which is bigger than the others and I think is growing (very slowly if at all). DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE THESE AND WHAT ARE THEY? :rolleyes:

Second I just found two things on my skin right above my breast (one - dime sized, the other- pencil eraser sized). They are close to each other, ever so slightly raised, dull, pink, patches. They don't hurt or bleed and have not been on my chest for very long. SHOULD I WORRY? :confused:

Any feedback would be appreciated. I wish I was not as anxious as I am but I think back at my youth and cringe.....oh by the way....does anyone know how long it takes for skin cancer to appear before it's melanoma?

Thanks to all who respond.....have a great day! ;)
Elda :angel:

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO HAVE SKIN CANCER BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE?

Hi Elda,

The red raised beauty marks could simply be hemangiomas (sp?), which I belive are harmless. It is my understanding from my dermatologist that they are a result of aging (although not everyone gets them). Also, the two things on your breast could also be age-related beauty marks...my dermatologist refers to them as barnacles. Your doctor will be able to tell you what they are when you meet with him/her next week. Try not to worry!

Elda! I totally understand your anxiousness.

The fact that your spots are reddish/pink don't make it sound like melanoma. Aren't melanomas dark in pigment?

It sounds more like some kind of irritation/allergic reaction to me because there are so many and because of the color, but you say this has been going on through the past year.

Have a large number appeared within the past few days or no? If so, maybe you can try and get an earlier appointment.

Try and hang in there for the week. Let us know how things go.

Thanks for the feedback. I update next week!

Have a great weekend! :jester:

Hi everyone -

I had my doctor visit today and everything is fine. The red blood filled beauty marks are age and heredity related. :eek: And the dry/pinkish circles are ezema. ;) Because it's winter and I use a soap that does not contain moisturizers, this can happens. Now I need to use Dove soap and have gave me a prescription cream to help in healing them.

What a relief.

Thanks for the posts to my message.

Healthboards are the best!

hello fearful do keep in mind that everything is not always what it may seem. I came acrorss another word that made me check it out just by typing in this word amelanotic (in reference to mm) and after reading tons of material found out that moles do come in various colours and pink (or without dark pigment) is also someting to watch out for.

Since one of the two I am presently having excised, is of this nature, I am interesting in what it really is. Just a caution really, we can so easily freak out at any lumps and bumps that pop up on our bodies it is frightening. As for those red blobs (yes I agree with Elda, that they are age related, and simply just one of those things that life tosses our way.

My DH and myself both have these red things..... they mean nothing, but a pale pink moley thing is sometimes what I said I found doing my research.


AMELANOTIC check it out. it was interesting to read as I thought the same thing that moles are moles are moles and all are dark pigmented. NOPE

Bonnie :bouncing: