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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think this is melanoma

42 replies

northernsunshine · 02/01/2024 21:20

Random small spot/ mole with red rim has cropped up on my face/ double chin. It’s come up in December, it’s raised and looks more like a mole than a spot.

AIBU to think it could be something bad? My sister just had to have a mole removed and is waiting for the results back and I have a family history of skin cancer/ dodgy moles.

i have put in a doctors appointment request but am spiralling 😫

To think this is melanoma
OP posts:
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LemonyDrizzleCakes · 23/09/2025 19:22

Muffsies · 23/09/2025 19:14

I'm sure you'll be fine, but it is worth getting it checked.

It looks like you have quite a few moles, so does my sis. The doctor checks all her moles every few years, especially ones on her scalp and back that she can't see herself. GP says that precancerous moles are most likely to turn up on people with pale skin with lots of dark moles. So it definitely looks like you should be wary and always using suncream!

Not very helpful. Zombie thread.

Muffsies · 23/09/2025 19:14

northernsunshine · 02/01/2024 21:44

Thanks everyone really appreciate your measured advice. Hope I can get an appointment soon

I'm sure you'll be fine, but it is worth getting it checked.

It looks like you have quite a few moles, so does my sis. The doctor checks all her moles every few years, especially ones on her scalp and back that she can't see herself. GP says that precancerous moles are most likely to turn up on people with pale skin with lots of dark moles. So it definitely looks like you should be wary and always using suncream!

Barbaquequeen · 23/09/2025 18:43

Download SkinVision app and it is reliable until you can get to gp. Good luck x

ChersHandbag · 23/09/2025 17:06

What happened with this OP? I’ve got one almost identical and panicking

CammyChameleon · 14/03/2024 23:08

It is probably just a new mole, but it's good to get it checked out. The redness could well be from it catching or you prodding it a bit when you've been checking it out in terror (no judgement, honest!)

If it is melanoma (very probably not), it is very treatable when caught at an early stage - as in, getting that new mole looked at asap, as you are doing.

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 14/03/2024 22:07

OP
Get it checked. If you are really worried and can't wait the week or two for you gp appt, you can pay a few quid to see a gp privately and they can refer on

Mrsworried1 · 14/03/2024 22:02

@northernsunshine did you get seen? Hope you’re ok xx

dancingdaisies · 01/02/2024 23:39

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dancingdaisies · 01/02/2024 23:38

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Plmnki · 01/02/2024 21:09

Don’t mess around waiting for NHS. Go to a private dermatologist and have it removed. You will get a result back quickly and frankly you’ll get a far better cosmetic result if you go private (speaking from extensive experience).

If you choose a dermo outside London and you’ll pay far less than Harley st prices. Think £200 to £400 for this one, incl the pathology. You’ll be all sorted in two weeks and it will be behind you. It will heal well and in year the scar will have vanished.

Going forward, personally I would suggest getting checked privately every 12 months, it will be the best £200 you’ll spend on your health, keeping a watching brief on your particular skin type will be really worthwhile.

lljkk · 01/02/2024 20:35

Nine ?! But you're still fine?
You're convincing me that melanomas aren't that dangerous if you had 9 that didn't spread.

NewYear24 · 28/01/2024 16:13

It always worth getting anything dodgy looked at, I’ve had 9 melanomas removed and countless Basel Cell Carcinomas frozen or lasered off.
Don’t be scared, be proactive in having things looked at.
Some of my melanomas were moles that changed, other were new moles and some grew out of normal skin.

Helprequired5 · 28/01/2024 16:08

How did you get on, OP?

dancingdaisies · 08/01/2024 22:41

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Sapphire387 · 03/01/2024 10:12

Best of luck. You've done the right thing, and quickly. If the derm is worried, they'll whip it right off.

northernsunshine · 03/01/2024 10:07

Thanks again everyone. Have been urgently referred, due to family history as well and the newness. Will keep you posted.

OP posts:
LemonyDrizzleCakes · 03/01/2024 08:49

Try not to panic @northernsunshine

Longer term, has anyone suggested having the other moles removed?
My DH had several moles removed from his back that were benign, but taken off as a precaution (they were analysed.)

You should also be using SPF 50 every day as you look as if you get a lot of moles.

There is also advice about having a 'mole check' annually.
You might get this on the NHS (but unlikely without a history) but there are 'mole clinics' around the UK that do it reasonably cheaply. They take photos, send them to a dermo and you get the results back- maybe the same as other posters have said you can do with an app.

Helprequired5 · 03/01/2024 06:57

I have one that is almost identical. Have had it checked three times by three different doctors and they have all told me it is a Cherry angioma (just a very dark one!). If it is that, it is nothing to worry about. I understand how scary it is - I freaked out when I found it.

Ghentsummer · 03/01/2024 06:48

GettingStuffed · 02/01/2024 21:25

It looks like the other moles on your face. It's the ugly ducklings (ones that don't look like your other moles) you need to watch out for.

It's really not that simple. My mum had one just like that which was melanoma. It's the fact it's new that is worrying.

northernsunshine · 03/01/2024 06:36

Thanks so much everyone for your kind words and sharing your experiences. Helpful to know and to go into an appointment with this in mind.

OP posts:
northernsunshine · 03/01/2024 06:34

That’s good to know I could insist to get it removed, glad your DD was ok!

OP posts:
mikado1 · 03/01/2024 01:33

www.genomel.org

http://www.genomel.org

IHateLegDay · 03/01/2024 01:20

Tbh it's always best to get moles checked out.

I had one on my arm that was very dark and kept changing. 2 doctors and a nurse told me it was fine but I absolutely insisted they removed it so they begrudgingly did.
It was a malignant melanoma.

If you don't feel right about it and you want it gone, it doesn't matter what they think. Demand its removal.

mikado1 · 03/01/2024 01:20

I will post the website that my derm highly highly recommended to get to know your moles, what's normal and what to watch for etc. It's an Australian website. I found it fascinating the way she could say 'No, that's fine' etc while scanning so many different moles on my body, dark, big, fleshy etc. She could even tell me what they used to look like when I reported they'd changed, having never met me before!

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