Tiny Black *** * - VERY scared. - Cancer: Skin Message Board

frankw2k · 02-13-2005, 06:39 PM

Hi, im 17 and I just noticed a very tiny dark black **** on the side of my hand... It is perfectly round, and very black and it is slightly raised. It doesnt feel like a scab.. I do go tanning alot (tanning bed)... but i have brown hair, brown eyes, and I'm not pale. Should I be worried? i noticed this thing on the side of my hand for about 2 weeks now...*** note it is small but very black. Is it skin canser? am i going to die im very scared please respond.

BonBe · 02-14-2005, 10:03 AM

Hi

well as you know we are just a support board. You must go to your doctor to get any diagnosis. If you frequent tanning beds it is a proven thing that they are not safe at all.

First off seek advice from your own personal family physician. Or a clinic or even a referal from school health. The doctor can advise you and maybe set you up with a qualified dermatologist who specializes in this type thing.

My thoughts are to STOP immed going to tanning beds..... go to a doctor, and when you have seen the doctor and have been told what to do next, maybe we can be of more help.

Please go to the doctor..... you cannot just assume anything, nor can we.

BonBe

dennis-sj · 02-15-2005, 04:26 AM

Don't worry. Melanoma is usually irregular in shape. Do an internet search on the ABCD's of melanoma. Most cases of melanoma that cause death have been growing for months or years. My friend recently had a quite large spot removed from his arm. He had noticed its strange appearance for almost a year and it came nowhere near metastasizing. If I were you I would just observe it and bring it up with your doctor in your yearly physical. Your chance of death at this stage is somewhere around 0% even if you wait. This is just my opinion and I'm not a doctor.

BonBe · 02-15-2005, 04:31 AM

yes, I myself kept putting off asking about a ugly huge mole that 'changed' and even the doctors did not think much of it, then after the excisional biopsy results were in wham I was dealt a horrid blow.

Looking at a changing mole is scary no doubt.... but we all must be vigilant and if you are scared then get it checked out.

Bonbe

bluster · 02-16-2005, 08:42 AM

This is my personal opinion....

STOP TANNING....

I am 54 and I have tanned for 40 years. Biggest mistake of my life.

My skin has so much sun damage, you wouldn't believe it.

Melanoma is an UGLY disease.

There are other ways to look attractive, other than having a tan.

Go have the black spots biopsied, and have the doc checkout the rest of your skin.

Bill... (Stage IIB Melanoma removed, currently on 1-year low-dose Interferron, no known mestasatis)...