Identifying a Melanoma

[nebueralleb]

I have moles, lots of moles all over of varying degrees, small, larger, some raised, some not, nothing significant, never been a problem, have millions of freckles.

I have had a few new moles appear over the years, again nothing to concern me, just normal moles, the odd raised one but still just regular ones.

I have had what appeared/felt like an itchy spot on my back for a few weeks. Right in the patch where you struggle to itch as too high up, and too low down along the spine. I itched it the other day and took a scab off, did not hurt, it was more like a dry flake of skin, but to look at, it was dark.

It has itched since, sometimes like mad, but i mostly can't reach, however I made myself bend so I can! and felt it, its not a spot, feels very much like a mole, is quite raised, and when i scratched it lightly it hurt a lot, and left the nerves around that area smarting for some time after. And now its just itching like I need a good scratching post.

It is a part of my skin that is very rarely exposed to the sun, I am not a sun worshipper, go red, burn then peel so tend to keep out of the sun or cover the all the bits that burn with at least sunblock, but often material too.

Can this be a melanoma? I am a born worrier.

TBH, the only way to know what it is is to see your gp for them to have a look

Probably not. but the only person who can identify a melanoma is a GP or dermatologist

feel a bit daft though, as its not huge. DH said its not big and hardly notices, but he also says that when I have a huge zit on my nose so I don't know whether to beleive him or not.

oh good, that 'probably not' is what I wanted to here, rather than 'shock get thee to a doctor pronto its likely'

i mean obviously i won't just ignore, will keep an eye.

Whatever it is, it aint going away though, but getting bigger, whatever size DH says it is.

Yes probably not, but you do still need to see the doctor though.

Even if you feel embarrassed about it

Do you have a walk-in mole clinic at your local hospital?

well i have to pop along to chase an ent referral for a broken nose (years ago, needs fixing) so can use that as my pretence for going, and just mention it while i am there.

Get it checked.

It's really hard to identify melanomas - even in primary care we have to refer loads of itchy moles because we can't tell just by looking. Best is to get someone to look at it then probably be referred to dermatology where they may want to biopsy it.

oh morag i don't know about that, i will go take a look on their website, that would be useful, and quick, and they will be used to people with nought wrong popping in for a closer look at their moles!

You need to go and see your GP this week and get it checked out. Don't mess with moles.

Follow the ABCD rule:

A Asymmetry - is it asymmetrical?
B - Border - is border irregular?
C - colour: Is it even in colour or does it have dark spots
D: Diameter - it it bigger than the end of a pencil (5mm)

If Yes to any of these, speak to GP.

Also, have your other half take a photo with a point of reference, like a match stick, so you can see yourself how it looks.

ps, have just had a melanoma removed from my leg

Yeah, you need to get it checked but it barely ever is a melanoma, I believe only 1 in 200 abnormal moles presented to GPs are actually cancerous. But it's still 1 in 200 so better safe than sorry

it appears only in London, no mole clinics as normal in hospitals that i can tell.

sidge i will go to gp, pretending to see him about something else, as it seems daft sitting in the waiting room with sick people for up to 2 hours just because of a spot.

shongololo great idea, my dh will laugh so will get a friend to take a photo. Thank you, and hope your removal was successful x

Go to a dermatologist. DS got worried about one particular mole he had, so I took him, and the dermatologist took off two other moles altogether that we never would have found suspicious. If you have any moles, you should see a dermatologist regularly.

Go to the GP. Your local hospital will be able to check them for you if you can get referred.

I have a large mole with dark spots in it. My gp told me two years ago not to worry about it. It doesnt bother me. Should I go to another gp?

Go to the gp.

I always have my back checked when i'm there as i am v mole aware.

I have also been to the mole clinic for a full body check. It was about £100 but worth it imo.

math can you just get referred with no specific reason? I have never seen a dermatologist. My gp appears to be allergic to writing referrals.

Ask your GP to refer you.

ok, off to bed, and will make a gp appt this week, and that in itself will result in it disappearing

thanks all. I know you can't diagnose me, of course, but you are all so wise good night, will keep you posted.

I have one mole on the side of my breast that is large and has recently been a bit sore, also seems more raised but I'm not sure. I can say yes to all of the checklist above too. I've been meaning to get it looked at for a while but surely as it's been there so long it's nothing?