How do I know for sure? - Cancer: Skin Message Board

Tripletsand1 · 08-16-2002, 04:14 PM

Since I've had basal cell carcinoma in the past, I seem to scrutinize my skin closely. At age 33 I still get new moles popping up from time to time and often wonder about them but I can't run to the doc for a biopsy for every new thing! Some start very small and make it difficult to try to check for the ABCD's of melanoma. I've heard that melanoma can sometimes be very small, like the size of a pin head, so how are we supposed to know on something that small? For anyone who has found very small melanomas, did it really look that unusual? Any advice is welcome!

jenniray · 08-16-2002, 05:36 PM

I just had surgery yesterday on a melanoma on my arm. I have had abnormal readings on biopsys for ever. I watch everything very closely. The one that was melanoma was very small. Like the size of a scan tron bubble. The thing that brought it to my attention is that it was getting darker. All moles are not suspect, but if they change than they are. Watch for color changes, and size. The surgery I just had was very scary. The mole was so small, and still the cut in my arm is huge, and very painful. Just be your own advocate, and who cares if you run to the dr. to have everything checked, you do what makes you feel comfortable.

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Live and Love each day as if it were your last.......

Tripletsand1 · 08-18-2002, 10:15 AM

Jenniray,
Thanks for responding. I will be having a biopsy next month (couldn't get in any sooner) for a small mole that turned black. Thankfully it's very small so I'm hoping that if it is melanoma it will not be invasive. I've had many other biopsies in the past 10 years and only one turned out to be cancerous.

I'm wishing you a quick recovery! Will you have to undergo any additional treatment?

jenniray · 08-18-2002, 05:27 PM

Thanx so much, I too hope for a quick recovery. My arm hurts pretty bad. I just hate to think of how much worse it could have been, had the mole been bigger. As it is the incision is big. Anyway. I hope you have good results with your biosy. Your history helps me to feel a little more positive, only having one cancer found. Hope it stays that way. I am praying this will be my one and only. Good Luck.

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Live and Love each day as if it were your last.......

jenniray · 08-18-2002, 05:31 PM

Sorry , I forgot to answer your question... I have to have a chest xray and some blood work, but as far as I know that is it. I go back in 2 weeks to remove the stitches, and have a new all over exam, and have 4 more biopsys done. Fun Ha? Oh well. I would much rather have the little white scars from the biopsy, than the alternative.....

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Live and Love each day as if it were your last.......