To be convinced I'm getting bad news

[DwangelaForever]

I am covered head to toe in moles, some I've had since childhood, others have only appeared over the past decade or so (I'm 20)

I noticed around the May Bank Holiday that I had a scab on the mole on my arm but there were scabs around it as if I'd scratched my arm on something so I didn't take any notice.

The same mole has started to turn white in the middle so I went to my GP to be sure and get it checked then asked him about a few other moles I was concerned about and he red flagged me to the dermatology department for skin cancer (I had so many points on the red flag system)

My appointment is on Wednesday and I'm sooo anxious I'm gonna be told bad news. I have the arm mole previously mentioned, a mole on my thigh that's really weirdly shaped and varying in colours and a large mole on my back (all the concerning ones) I have loads of moles and have no way of knowing reliably if any of them have changed, will they look at just the ones I had flagged to the GP or if you've got a huge number do they give you a quick look over as a whole? I'm just so worried that cause I have loads I've maybe missed a dodgy one.

Also I know they biopsy and review any dodgy ones so I know I won't get results then and there.

I just have a gut feeling something is wrong, the universe has literally been screaming skin cancer at me for the past few months (randomly heard a convo at the Dr's about a patient with skin cancer, melanoma popped up on a TV show I was watching, local papers covered a lady with MM as well - all these made me go get the moles I was concerned about checked to begin with) sorry if that sounds a bit weird to some lol!!

Sorry to hear, but try not to worry, you are getting the moles checked out, they are v good at treating skin cancer nowadays (if it is that) and it could also just be a false alarm or an early warning. Try not to worry

I had all of mine looked at when I raised concerns about one and also explained I was concerned about monitoring those on my back - visual scan and a few had a zap with an analysis camera thing - they were totally on it and happy to talk everything through with me. If it is bad news then honestly they are so good at treating skin cancer these days and you’ve done everything right in getting checked out!

By the way you’re not doing exams or anything similar atm? My moles all decided to be weird little bastards whenever I was really stressed out!

You just don't know but I can completely understand why you are so worried. It's a horrible feeling just having to wait

It’s good you are being checked and perhaps you can have mole mapping .( you can get this done privately)

Plus there is a phone app you can get that will note changes .

Hopefully all will be ok and then in the future you can get a family member to help you keep an eye on the moles for you .

Took my teenage son for an assessment of a suspicious mole several years ago. He too had a lot of moles but this one was big and irregular - he hadn't mentioned it until it was knocked at football and bled. The appointment was arranged quite quickly and was very thorough - they examined all of his moles visually and with a sort of special camera. We were told there and then that they did not think there was anything to worry about but advised removal of the large one on his back due to size and location and risk of it being knocked again. Also advised on how to self check/monitor any future moles - photograph regularly with tape measure so size and appearance could be compared. Big mole was removed shortly after and was biopsies as a precaution but all was fine. Hope all goes well for you too OP

I’ve been going to the dermatologist for 15 years because I’ve got lots of moles all different shapes/colours/sizes. Over the years I’ve had 3 removed, one benign, one melanoma in situ and one with cell changes. No further treatment needed after the removal. Ive always has a full body mapping and regular medical illustration done so they can refer back and notice any changes.

Ive had a few moles that have been itchy and scabby, they turned out to have a form of eczema round them, easily treated with steroid cream and the scabs/itching went away.

It’s great that your getting them checked and absolutely the right thing to do, but try not to worry, there’s a whole host of reasons your moles can change (pregnancy, age, hormones etc).

The dermatologist will be very thorough and is a complete body check which is reassuring. Consultants are very good at their job. I’ve been in your situation and I advise you to stay off dr google and distract yourself with something else. Best of luck X

Please try not to worry. I once went to the doctors literally in tears as I had a mole that was bleeding. It was just an infection and cleared up with some cream. Obviously get it checked out but please try not to worry (easier said than done I know)

I had a mole that changed when my dd was a tiny baby. I saw the GP who referred me saying it didn't look good. Then the dermatology consultant I saw said it looked dodgy, then when it was being removed they told me to prepare for bad news.
So I was there, with a 5 year old and a newborn, convinced I had skin cancer and it turned out to be nothing at all.
So fingers crossed crossed same happens for you

I just have a gut feeling something is wrong, the universe has literally been screaming skin cancer at me for the past few months (randomly heard a convo at the Dr's about a patient with skin cancer, melanoma popped up on a TV show I was watching, local papers covered a lady with MM as well - all these made me go get the moles I was concerned about checked to begin with) sorry if that sounds a bit weird to some lol!!

That isn't weird, that happens to me when I'm worried about something I notice it's existence more because my fears are highest. Even when it was the hearing of it that peaked me to check in the first place.
I had a minor breast breast issue, which I only noticed as a potential problem when a friend raised in conversation that her friend had this issue before a cancerous lump was found, so I went to check it out and because it was so minor the wait was very long to see a breast nurse, and then in the meantime breast cancer was on TV all of the fucking time, everyone seemed to be talking about it, numerous threads on here that maybe I wouldn't have noticed if I wasn't worried I was certain it was a sign. Nothing turned out to be wrong.

I think Skin cancer awareness is pushed harder in the summer, there's no such thing as a sign, I promise.

I had a large mole removed because it was unsavoury. It was done under local anesthesia and I didn't need any further treatment apart from Lazer to reduce the look of the unsightly scar. This is it healed after 10yrs
Best of luck. Hopefully your news won't be as bad as you think

Try to stay calm you've done the right thing going to the Drs. Just take it one day at a time until your next appointment. Try and keep yourself busy. I know it's hard not to worry about it.

Completely understand the "sign" thing too! Thought I had bowel cancer (my sister had it and then I was getting symptoms) and honestly every advert was about bowel cancer they talked about it on this morning etc etc...i had a colonoscopy and was completely fine, but I know the feeling of dread in the pit of your stomach.

There could be many other reasons your mole has changed try not to get too stressed about it and stay off google!

Hope you're appointment goes well.

I’m a bit of an accidental melanoma expert - my husband is a stage 4 patient. I’ve had several dodgy looking ones removed over the last decade or so and they have all been clear.

The vast majority of biopsied moles are benign, so please don’t worry unduly. Even if it wasn’t benign, you’ve kept a really close eye and spotted the change early and you have youth on your side, which is a big factor in skin cancer.

Highly recommend visiting melanomafocus.org for information if you’re worried - they also have a helpline and the nurses are brilliant (they are all skin cancer specialists).

Please keep us updated OP!

Thank you everyone for all your replies and shared experiences. I know you're all probably right about the "signs" being me thinking about it and seeing it more now! I'm going to have a nice weekend with my 4yo and 2yo and hope it distracts me!! Will keep you updated!

@slothkin no exams but I do feel v stressed at work atm!!

I'm glad to know that they will hopefully look at my skin as a whole then, that makes me feel better!!