Melanoma and pregnancy?

[sparkymummy]

My younger brother has just had a malignant melanoma removed and being a worrier (and moley!) I am off to see a dermatologist to look at some of mine in a few weeks. I have a 2 year old DS and was about to start ttc no2. We're waiting now until my moles have been checked butI wondered if they do find I have one, assuming its found at an early stage and removed, is there any medical reason why we couldn't ttc? I know I'm jumping the gun here but I'm 31 this year and don't want to leave ttc for to long, but obviously don't want to risk a potential babies health, or my health, and then the worrier in me is now starting to think if I have an increased risk of cancer should I be trying for another child if there is a possibility I might not be around to see him/her grow up? Would really aprreciate anyones thoughts/info around this

[Anna8888]

I'd wait for the doctor's appointment before worrying too much. I think you are absolutely right to get your moles checked out, but please don't indulge in worst case scenarios until they have been confirmed (which is very unlikely).

[sparkymummy]

Thank you, I'm trying not to, although I just keep thinking that my brother and I spent our childhood together so we would have got similar amounts of sun!

[Blondie79]

Hi SparkyMummy.
I had a mole diagnosed as being a malignant melanoma when my DS was 6 months old. I had a wider excision and numerous scans to check all my vital organs and lymph nodes. I am still seeing the consultant now nearly 2 years on and am currently 3 months pregnant with DC3.

The only difference is that I am not under midwife lead care but consultant lead for the duration of my pregnancy.

I know that it is not entirely the same scenario but I just wanted to let you know I understand your worries and also that skin cancer is very doing the right thing being checked out.

I hope my post has helped and everything is ok with your moles.

[Blondie79]

sorry should read 'very easy to treat if caught early'

[sparkymummy]

Thank you for your message Blondie79. Did they suggest you left ttc for a certain amount of time? And on a slightly different note if they don't do any scans on my brother after removing his mole does that mean it has all been removed and not spread? Hes not told us much of the detail and I don't like to ask as hes not a talky type of person, I hope you don't mind me asking you

[Blondie79]

No worries. I think that it is pretty routine to offer further tests. The wider excision (where they remove a wider area around where the mole originally was) results showed that it had not spread outside of the mole but I was still given further tests to be doubly sure. I remember when I was first diagnosed noone (even my parents) asked about it or mentioned it ( I would have loved to have talked about it - I find talking about things therapeutic) so I'm sure your brother might be quite happy to answer your questions.

In regards to ttc - they never advised me either way. It may have been different had the cancer spread to different areas.

[girlnextdoor]

Unless your moles are showing signs of malignancy, you should try not to worry too much.

Also, 31 is still quite young for ttc- I had my 1st at 31 and 2nd at almost 34.

You have easily got another 3-4 years before you need to panic.

Have you got an NHS or a private appt to see the dermo? Have you been told howl ong you will have to wait.

if I were you and could afford it- around £150- I would see the dermo privately if I was in a hurry.

[sparkymummy]

I have the appt in 2 weeks, I think the doc only sent me because I was worried, as she didn't seem to be but when I explained about my brother she made a non urgent appt for me. I will try and talk to him as he is coming over this weekend, I just know I am so worried about him and me that if I'm not careful I'm going to ask questions because I am worried, not for his benefit, if that makes sense? I can just imagine me saying "So are they really sure its not spread?" etc "How do they know?" as I'm a real pessimist whereas hes the opposite.

[Blondie79]

Sparkymummy- try not to worry (although I know its easier said than done - i used to be the worlds worst worrier but funnily enough I don't worry about anything since the diagnosis).

how long ago was your brother diagnosed?

[sparkymummy]

About a month ago, he has had the mole out but has to go back and have a margin taken out around it, although they say its all out.