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General health

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Original poster

about 18months ago i went to the GP about an itchy mole

22 replies

misdee · 05/04/2007 19:33

he had a look and said nothing to worry about. however today i have noticed that it has changed. the mole is lighter but with a dark patch in the middle.

OP posts:

eenybeeny · 05/04/2007 19:34

go back!

SquonkyDonkeyHotCrossBuns · 05/04/2007 19:34

go back

Miaou · 05/04/2007 19:45

You know what to do misdee - go do it!!

LittleEasterLapin · 05/04/2007 19:47

Go back!

tinkerbellhadpiles · 05/04/2007 19:50

I have had four melanomas removed. Each one started out like a mole which 'looked a bit funny' to me. One was a bit itchy. The first two the docs poo-poohed, but then changed their minds six months later when I went back and said 'here is a picture of some melanomas, doesn't this look like the one I have?' (my doc at the time was about 80, male and put everything down to 'womens troubles'.)

If there is any doubt they whip them off and send them away for analysis.

As you can gather from the fact I'm typing this now, I managed to survive the experience but I've only just got 10 years past my last surgery.

If I could offer a bit of advice IF your mole is in a visible place and your GP offers to slice it off, decline politely and ask for a referral to a surgeon, I got a right hatchet job on a couple of mine by well intentioned but inexperienced GPs.

ediemay · 05/04/2007 19:50

Good on you for noticing. Go back !!

ediemay · 05/04/2007 19:51

I've had melanoma too tinkerbell, another survivor here
I agree about asking for a referral

Original poster

misdee · 05/04/2007 19:53

thank you!

that was my gut feeling as well. its on my arm. i always check the ones i can and dh looks over the others on my back/neck etc.

will book appointment after bank holiday weekend. with a different GP this time.

OP posts:

suejonez · 05/04/2007 19:54

as everyone else says - go back. Its probably nothing but you'd be such a burk if you didn't and it was (IYSWIM). I have had a mole on my back removed TWICE and the bloody thing is back again - I swear its an alien life-form so am now being referred to a specialist.

Could be the answer to all our energy problems - and endless source of energy!

LittleEasterLapin · 05/04/2007 19:54

I've got a huge and very scary mole on my back... I think I am going to have to get it looked at, I have procrastinated for, well, years

Do I just go to my GP?

OrmIrian · 05/04/2007 19:59

Gawd.. me too lapin. DH keeps telling me to go and see a GP but somehow I don't. Used to have one on my inner thigh but it went away. That does sound odd I suppose....

suejonez · 05/04/2007 20:01

Orm - maybe your mole that diasppeared is the one that keeps appearing on my back!

Original poster

misdee · 05/04/2007 20:03

lol. i think mine are hoping to all merge into one huge mole.

OP posts:

ediemay · 05/04/2007 20:05

Hi lapin, yes, go to your GP first and make sure you say that it is worrying you. If you aren't happy ask for a referral.

The size of a mole isn't necessarily a risk factor - the main thing to watch for is any change to it, in its size, shape, colour etc.

tinkerbellhadpiles · 05/04/2007 20:17

LittleEasterLapin - huge and scary - are your sure it's not an easter ferret?

tinkerbellhadpiles · 05/04/2007 20:19

I'm not saying this to worry any of you but DON'T BLOODY IGNORE YOUR MOLES! My ex-bf died because he had a mole on his face that I kept saying should be looked at (I was being treated at the time) and he didn't and five years later when he finally did go it was far too late.

Besides you get cool scars, I used to wear backless tops to meetings, take off my jacket and yell: 'don't bother stabbing me in the fecking back, someone has beat you too it' (was very good at making my staff behave!)

Original poster

misdee · 05/04/2007 20:24

tinkerbellies, i do check them and dont leave them dont worry. it was itchy and sore about 18months ago saw the gp who told me it was pointless checking my moles considering i have over 30 on my face and neck alone, i dont think its stupid, add into the fact i did get burnt when i was younger, very badly in fact on my arms. indeed. so i ignored that bit of 'medical' advice, and still check. i have kept an eye on it, and noticed the change today.

OP posts:

tinkerbellhadpiles · 05/04/2007 20:28

Misdee - I have medical photographs taken of my back every few years so they can compare, this can be a good way to do it, just on your birthday (so you remember) have a photo taken on the area, then you can compare year on year changes (and you can beat your GP round the head with the album if he doubts you!)

Plibble · 05/04/2007 20:30

Absolutely ask for a referral. Darker patches of colour are something that can be an indicator of potential problems.

I paid for a mole check a few months ago. The ones that they flagged as a bit dodgy were small (really tiny), dark and irregular-shaped. When they took close-up digital photos of them, they had grey patches and black dots in them, i.e. were not a uniform smooth brown. Am now paying to get them whipped off privately. My grandfather died very young from skin cancer so I view this as an expense I am more than willing to bear.

For your info, the moles I thought would be problematic - the big, ugly ones that stick out - are apparently unlikely to cause a problem. Women apparently tend to get skin cancer on their legs, while men get it on their torsos, so it is worth keeping an eye on your legs specifically.

Pennies · 05/04/2007 20:47

misdee - please get it checked out. I have had basal cell carcinoma (a benign skin cancer) and a melanoma. My dermatologist told me that "'the customer is USUALLY right". Basically only you kow the changes to your skin and if something is causing you to be worried don't let any crappy GP fob you off. I forced my GP to refer me for what turned out to be my basal cell cancer and as I was already in the system that is how my melanoma was caught so early.

I measure and document my moles monthly.

tinkerbellhadpile - you had FOUR??? Hope you don't mind me asking but can you tell me a bit more about that? My dermatologist told me that out of the 800 melanoma cases he's had only 12 have go on to have another, so it sounds like you've been very unfortunate. Is there any genetic predisposition in your family to it?

LittleEasterLapin · 05/04/2007 20:48

Mine is about 1cm across, it doesn't appear to have changed colour and it doesn't itch or anything, but it does feel like it has partially detached, IYKWIM.

I am very fairskinned, and have loads of freckles and small moles, even though I don't/can't sunbathe

Plibble · 05/04/2007 21:21

LL - I have one like this - it used to be flatter but since I was pregnant sticks out and I can wobble it about (I am so attractive). The specialist nurse I saw assured me that it is one of the ones they wouldn't worry about, but you should, of course, get yours looked at to put your mind at rest.

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