I thought cancer grew "overtime",not suddenly - Cancer: Skin Message Board

SOUTHERN DIVA · 04-03-2004, 01:40 PM

Now, I am really scared out of mind.I posted earlier this week about a red raised bump that "suddenly appeared" after being exposed to the sun for over an hour,I got a slight sunburn.It is actually on my rt.breast area close to the ckeavage area. IT looks like 4 or 5 small nodules,all red joined together.It has an irregular border. It just so happend that I was in the beauty shop today and my dermotologists' assistant just happened to show up for her apt. Everyone in there started showing her "things" on there body,so naturally I did too.She said "since that just suddenly appeared out of nowhere it could definitely be malignant melanome",she said come in and get that biopsied as soon as possible.I had already scheduled an apt for this Monday. I cried all the way home,I am afraid it is bad.I thought melanoma was dark,this is totally red or flesh colored.Does this sound "fatal" to anyone??????Please don't laugh at me,lately everything in my life is going downhill::sick husband,very sick father,even my poor little dog may have to be put to sleep.

Rick7799 · 04-03-2004, 05:11 PM

Calm down. This sounds like basal cell or squama cell to me if even that. It could be nothing. Melonoma's tend to come up from a mole you had for years, not all of a sudden. If I was a betting man I would say you have a long way to go before skin cancer gets you. I have a feeling after your biopsy you will post and say it was nothing to be afraid of. Basal cells and Squama cells and even melonoma's can be taken care of when caught early. You are in the very early stages. Please post when you get the results and let us know the results.

chigs489 · 04-04-2004, 09:33 AM

I agree with Rick. Your dermatologist's assistant? Is she even a doctor? It sounds irresponsible to me, that she would offer any kind of diagnosis. And again, every melanome I've ever seen is usually black like charcoal -it even has that texture. It might be basal cell, in which case, it can be removed promptly. This spot on your chest is brand new, and it's not like it's been growing there for 2 years.

The good thing is, even if it is a basal cell, it is on your chest, and not on your face. I have a spot that my dermatologist is watching closely, that might be a basal cell. It's right on my cheek, so I have to look at the damn thing every day! But I caught mine early as well, by accident. I went in for something else, and my dermatologist noticed it.

It sounds like you may have some health anxiety as well. I know, because I often respond like you do -jump to the worst possible scenario and start freaking out. This type of thinking can make you feel worse! Check out healthanxiety.com and see if you can relate. Some people that have health anxiety (like myself) find that cognative behavioral therapy is good. There are also support groups like recovery inc. that have group meetings (I haven't been to one, but I hear that they are good).

You don't want to have a nervous breakdown every time you get a weird spot on your skin. That's no way to live.