Mole worry, very concerned

[Lucylu1984]

Hi all,

Just need talking down really. A few days ago I saw in the mirror that I have a flat very dark brown mole right between my shoulders (therefore really difficult to see). Partner said it's been there for a few years at least. I looked at a photo of my back from 4/5 years ago and there is a dark spot there but it's definitely smaller than now.
I'm so so scared it's melanoma and I've left it for years. It's still quite small (less than a pencil eraser size). It's flat and isn't itchy, bleeding/scabby or red round the outside.
I'll book an appointment Tuesday morning but I'm so scared and worried tonight.

Listen, you make your appointment and go from there, literally nothing you can do in the meantime and those few days will make little difference. If they are worried you’ll get seen quickly and go from there. If the worst comes to the worst I want to reassure you that treatments have come forward in leaps and bounds. You are doing the right thing getting seen. Wishing you the best of luck with it

Try not to worry, it’s difficult I know from experience! I had a very dark brown mole on my bottom of all places, been there for years and I never really looked at it as it was in a very difficult position for me to keep a check on, well when I managed to contort myself with my iPhone to take a picture, it had changed (I compared it to an old picture of me in a bikini from years back) then it was perfectly round but now it had become like the shape of Australia and black, I full on panicked and thought like you it was a deadly melanoma that had been slowly killing me for years, got immediately on the two week pathway and had it removed and tested, fortunately it was benign but apparently it was the type of mole that could have developed down the line into something more serious so it was good to get it removed as a precaution. From your description it doesn’t match the ABCDE guidelines so take solace in that for now, I really thought mine was deadly, it was black and irregular and had changed and it wasn’t melanoma, so not all dodgy moles are sinister but you are doing the right thing to get in checked out, fingers crossed all will be well.

I made an appointment to check a mole on my face for cosmetic purposes and while I was there I got them to check the mole on my back because it kept scabbing etc. I got referred they took pictures I then had it removed 2 weeks later in dermatology it’s been sent off for a biopsy but they believe nothing to be wrong, it’s also on my back slightly on my left! You should be absolutely fine but make an appointment with the drs explain about it and see it they can refer you for it to be checked x

Why are you worried? its been there years, it isn't bleeding or itchy and doesn't have an iregular shape.

Oh lovely! You will be alright 🤗 it’s likely not melanoma.

My husband had a new mole on his back (appeared over a few years at 36 years old) it was flat, same size as yours. He had it checked and it was completely normal, the doctor said it’s common for new moles to appear, even in adulthood. It’s good to double check but I really wouldn’t worry too much, it’s likely just a harmless mole. Try not to worry and enjoy your weekend! You’ll be okay ☺️

Thank you all so much, you've been so kind xx
The only reason I'm worried is because I hadn't noticed it get slightly larger because of where it is. But then I read that they can grow anyway? It's not perfectly round but it's also not the shape of an island, if you know what I mean!xx

Good to get it checked. I'm currently on the two-week pathway, although it will be six weeks until I'm actually seen by a dermatologist. My mole is new, has fallen off and bled and then regrown (in a few weeks). So sounds much more like cancer than yours. I'm having faith that all will be fine.

I'm sorry you have this worry too, it's horrible isn't it. Let us know how you get on, fingers crossed it's all OK xx

It’s going to be absolutely fine. Of course have it checked, but it’ll be fine I’m sure - have a good bank holiday weekend, don’t waste time worrying for likely nothing

The Skin Vision app lets you take photos of moles and uses AI to analyse likely problem ones. It isn’t a substitute for seeing a specialist but can help provide peace of mind in the meantime. I have well over a hundred moles so it really isn’t feasible for me to rush to the doctors every time I think one may be new or have changed. I pay for a mole check once a year and use this if I’m concerned about any in between

I have massive health anxiety too,if you hadn't already guessed! Definitely getting worse in my early 40s too.
From what I've googled (shouldn't have, I know) it could be something or it could be nothing...

Mine has appeared over the past few years too. Well, my partner said it's been there for a few years (I'm 41). It's dark brown and almost completely flat x
Glad your husband is OK x

I hope yours turns out OK xx
Mine is more a flat patch of dark brown x

I unfortunately have melanoma, I used the skin vision app several times for the same mole and it said it was fine. Unfortunately this was the mole that was the melanoma. Not meaning to scare monger but just wanted to let you know to stay extra careful. I think when my skin checks with the NHS stop I’ll pay privately, I don’t know

I'm sorry to hear that :(
How did your melanoma present itself?xx

It was a new mole that grew on the back of my leg in a difficult place to see. But I have to say that since then I have noticed what to me look like strange moles, these have all been fine. So please don’t worry, I think I’m just unlucky

How are you getting on, OP?
im in a similar place as you and getting mine checked/removed tomorrow.

Sorry for delayed reply. Sent a photo to GP and he said all looks fine so that was that. Hope the removal went OK?

Thanks for coming back to me.
I privately for a removal and it came back fine. Now I’ve another to worry over! 😩