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Original poster

Shitting myself about melanoma (pics)

38 replies

Hindsite · 09/08/2020 19:46

Last year I went to visit a family member who I’d not seen for a while. She asked me what the mark was in my face. I said it was a mole and that I’d always had it. She said “no you haven’t”. I was pretty sure I had.

It was a flat mole and caused no itching or anything. I wasn’t concerned as I assumed I’d always had it.

Last week it started itching and has become slightly raised/dry feeling. I put it down to the sun (30 degrees here). But I got worried and started looking at old photos. 7 years ago it wasn’t there at all. 5 years ago it was a small flat mole. Now it’s this. I’m going to try and make appointment with GP in morning but if they try and prevent me from doing so (Covid and all) can I insist? I’ve had this now slowly growing for over 5 years. I’ve pretty much convinced myself I’m going to die of skin cancer. (But I do have anxiety also).

OP posts:
Original poster
Hindsite · 09/08/2020 19:49

It won’t let me post the pic?!

OP posts:
AngelSings · 09/08/2020 19:51

It's good to get it looked at but the chance of melanoma is small (stop googling!). Many moles change over time without any sinister reasons. Call your GP tomorrow. I've actually found them to be a lot more responsive recently and got a next day appointment for something that wasn't urgent. They won't send you away.

I see a private dermatologist once a year for my own peace of mind. Maybe something to consider for your anxiety?

And stop googling!!

Eatyourbanana · 09/08/2020 19:52

Paper clip? Definitely get it checked out OP, they would always want to hear about changes in moles. Try not to panic, just get it checked.

sijjy · 09/08/2020 19:52

As there isn't a pic I can't really comment on the mole. The doctors should see you. Or at the very least do a video call appointment. My husband had melanoma at the age of 21. He's now 36. Try not to panic but definitely get it checked.

helpfulperson · 09/08/2020 19:52

Absolutely get in touch with your GP but this is the type of thing that is ideal for remote consultation. You can show the GP the previous photos and they can look at a zoomed in image of it currently.

Original poster
Hindsite · 09/08/2020 19:53

Google has convinced me I have stage 4 invasive melanoma and should basically start writing my will. I’ve spent hours googling skin cancer all weekend. The colour hasn’t changed, just the size and the fact that it’s itching. Wish I could attach a pic

OP posts:
MitziK · 09/08/2020 19:54

They should be fine about it. Don't worry about that - you've got a relatively new mole that has changed and that warrants investigation.

It might not be anything scary, but it needs to be checked - and they aren't in the habit of turning people away when they're doing exactly what they're supposed to, which in your case, is requesting an appointment (could be by phone) for something that is recognised as needing to be investigated.

GnomeDePlume · 09/08/2020 19:55

I have asked GP to look at suspicious moles a couple of times. They have always got me in quickly.

msflibble · 09/08/2020 19:55

Oh OP, don't panic! It could be a thing called seborrheic keratosis. They appear with age and are brown, dry and can be itchy. If you can work out how to upload a pic then someone with medical training might be able to help identify it better than me!

YoBeaches · 09/08/2020 19:56

Worth getting checked. I had something similar that turned out to be an infection within the mole. They removed it and did biopsy just to be sure.

Original poster
Hindsite · 09/08/2020 19:56

It looks like solar lentigo. But it’s the itching and the sudden “raised” part that’s getting me worked up. No paper clip on my mumsnet, just a smiley face, “I” and “@“

OP posts:
Flamingolingo · 09/08/2020 19:57

I have seen a dermatologist and had a mole removed all during lockdown. If your surgery has something like e-consult I would submit it that way along with photos (two - one close up, and one of your face to show where it is). I expect they will do a referral to dermatology and it should just be a few days

BlodwynBludd · 09/08/2020 19:58

I had a melonoma last year. The first Dr I saw turned me away and made me feel stupid. It grew. A lot. I went back and it was cancer. It is now all clear though. Please get it checked.

Thepilotlightsgoneout · 09/08/2020 19:58

If it’s been growing for 5 years, I wouldn’t be that worried. If it was 5 weeks, that’d be different.

Original poster
Hindsite · 09/08/2020 19:59

www.consultant360.com/content/skin-disorders-older-adults-benign-growths-and-neoplasms

It looks like that.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hindsite · 09/08/2020 20:00

The first pic on that site

OP posts:
gingerbeerandlemonade · 09/08/2020 20:01

OP I had a huge mole on my face that grew lots. It turned out it was to due with my hormones during my two pregnancies. It had changed colour, become raised and was huge. I had it removed but all came back fine. Try not to worry yourself. Get a gp appointment asap to be sure.

prelovedsweetie · 09/08/2020 20:05

I’m not suggesting for one minute not to get it checked out, but when I was referred to a dermatologist for something more sinister looking, he wasn’t at all interested in all my moles that looked like that.

Evilwasps · 09/08/2020 20:12

I had a mole removed 10 years ago that turned out to be malignant melanoma, though it didn't look like that. Even the doctor was surprised when the results came back. It was a mole that appeared over time but it was two different colours.

If you're worried please see your GP. But step away from Google in the mean time, according to it I should be dead, but I wasn't ever close to that!

Original poster
Hindsite · 09/08/2020 20:15

I’m just so scared as my youngest son (19) has mental health problems, he’s currently in prison and I am literally the only thing keeping him going. If I was to die, he would follow me without a doubt.

I know I’m going all worse case scenario now but I’m terrified. As I said, I do have anxiety so I know I’m over reacting. I’m so glad I’m off work right now.

OP posts:
Dorobie · 09/08/2020 20:17

Hi, I’m having a mole checked next week. It’s on my back and has all the ABCD signs.

All gps surgeries are different but with mine I had to request an app online and sent across a couple of pics. The gp messaged me back within the hour and an app was made for the next day.

Once she had a look in real life she has now referred me to dermatology under a ‘quick cancer’ referral which needs to be within 2 weeks. The hosp called me the next day with an app for next week.

Simple

Staffy1 · 09/08/2020 20:17

That looks very much like something I have had for years and it's been checked by a dermatologist and is harmless. I have also had some that suddenly get puffy or raised, and were what it says on that link "SEBORRHEIC KERATOSIS", which are harmless. Please try not to worry, but make a GP appt and they will probably ask you to send a pic. If they won't refer you and you are still worried, try and get a private remote (or in person) appointment with a dermatologist if you can afford it. They will very likely know straight away.

Dorobie · 09/08/2020 20:18

No point worrying until you know the facts

IdrisElbow · 09/08/2020 20:24

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

flossletsfloss · 09/08/2020 20:26

My sister had a mole like that, it had changed and grew in the same way and was nothing. Please don't google any more. Anyone of us could convince ourselves we have something terminal when googling. Just get it checked. Good luck.