To think this is melanoma

[northernsunshine]

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 😫

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.

Try not to worry, just get a dr appt and see what they say. It does look darker than your other moles so I can see your concern. I have no qualifications at all so see your Dr. I had the same thoughts with a mark that appeared on my leg which thankfully turned out to be some kind of bite but having had cancer before my mind immediately went to the same place.

I think it’s good you’re getting it checked out, given how recently it appeared and given your family history. Keep in mind that most skin changes are benign, and the prognosis for the ones which are not is excellent if caught early. Don’t spiral, you’re doing everything right.

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

Go get it checked. I have a dodgier looking one than that and I got it checked and it’s fine (though huge and unsightly). It was very straightforward to be seen and have it looked at.

Definitely get it checked but as others have said it doesn’t stand out as being an ‘ugly duckling’ it looks like the others. I had new moles arrive in my 40s. They sort of developed from freckles. I had them checked out and apparently hormones can cause moles to change or grow.

I would get it checked but it's unlikely to be anything of concern.

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Send some photos to your GP and ask for an appointment. If they think it needs a closer look they will sort out dermoscopy (some GPs do this, otherwise a local hospital will under medical imaging) if they want a closer look you'll have a face-to-face appt with a dermatologist. This is usually done quickly.

Oh god have taken some closer up pictures and it’s really red. Now up crying. I love my little boy and I am so afraid of something happening. Sorry to rant just have no one to speak to. Husband asleep 😥

Use the SkinVision app for instant feedback. Take a pic of your mole and it’s assessed immediately using algorithms. It’s also examined by a team of dermatologists if needs be and gives recommendations. It’s not a substitute for gp care but might put your mind at ease or prepare you for what is to come. It identified my mole as being very very high risk and I was sent many emails urging me to follow it up. They were correct and it was indeed melanoma. Very best if luck to you

Thank you @Barbaquequeen will do so now, appreciate your reply x.

@Barbaquequeen sorry that yours was found to be melanoma, amazing that the app flagged it. Hope you’re doing ok now!

DD had one like that removed. It wasn't melanoma but she frets so managed to insist it be removed.

OP, I had melanoma in a mole which was removed at an early stage., more than 20 years ago. I had NHS follow-up for 10 years, and now I’m just careful to cover up against the sun. You can hardly even see the scar.

I hope you haven’t got it, but if you have I hope you’re one of the ever-increasing number of people like me who survive xx

GP will have a very good idea looking at it with.... don't know the name of the little hand held microscope type thing. The app mentioned sounds fab. I had an ugly duckling removed recently. It looked much worse tho symmetrical. It was benign. Go about getting it checked and try not to fret in the meantime. Best of luck 💐

I've just had a mole removed and am waiting for the results. It didn't look like that, it was bigger and sunken but get it checked out.

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!

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.

www.genomel.org

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

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 I hope you can get to Dr soon and get it reviewed and hopefully put your mind at rest.

Please don't rely on the apps in place of seeing a doctor, they have been shown to be unreliable.

https://www.bmj.com/company/newsroom/smartphone-apps-not-accurate-enough-to-spot-all-skin-cancers/

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.

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.