Mole changes

[tothymammysing]

Hi
I hoped someone with similar experiences could help me calm down and get some perspective!

I was referred to a Dermatologist for removal of a benign lump (I get them quite a bit) and whilst he was examining me he asked about a mole on my knee which is kind of triangle shaped. I have had this mole looked at before at the Mole Clinic and they photographed it and asked me to go back in 3 months - I did and they said no changes so was fine.

But this new Dermatologist thinks it needs to be removed as I have a history of sunburn as a child and it is 'irregular'. This has now triggered me checking all my moles and I have noticed that one looks to have changed colour and shape so I'm completely freaking out that I have Melanoma and it has been there years and been missed etc

Please help!

If it has changed shape or colour, then go back to the dermatologist. It's a good thing to check all your moles and have them removed if necessary.

Thanks belgo, I'm going to see him to have the 1st mole he noticed removed on Weds so although it's only a few days away I'm freaking myself out!

try not to freak, most moles are benign, but it's still always a good idea to get them checked, and it sounds like your dermatologist knows what he's doing.

I know it must be nerve wrecking waiting though.

That's what I have been telling myself all day but it hasn't worked yet! I'm not normally a worrier but I know that Melanoma is serious and I'm so concerned I have left it for years

i have had this sort of panic too...one thing i did was google (not always the best idea!) and found some pics of abnormal melanomas along with benign....i found it reassuring that most of the abnormal ones looked pretty awful

The only person i actually know of who had a malignant melanoma had a mole that was maybe the size of a penny and it was all black and jaggedy, really looked grim

Yes, Google has not been my friend today.

I think it is mainly because the Derm was immediately interested in taking it off (although was happy to leave it 2 weeks) and then in the meantime I have found another 'irregular' mole

Agghh!

is leaving it 2 weeks to take off an irregular mole a usual thing or does it indicate that the Derm wasn't too worried?

Managed to work myself up into a panic now! Can anyone calm me down please?

thanks watsthestory - I know I'm being a bit dramatic, I'm just so worried that it has been there for so long and god knows what is has done!

I have several irregular moles and I am panicking too (holds out hand)I'm seeimg my GP this week,last time I asked the GP was really dismissive so I'm seeing a different one,and may visit the mole clinic too,its just very far away from me.

I have been through this. The original mole has not changed, so sounds ok.

I went to have one checked, and it was fine, but then the dermatologist spotted another one and said to have it removed in a fortnight. I shat myself and went on and on, so they fit me in the next day. He said it did not look cancerous, but he wanted to remove it as a precaution. I got the biopsy result two weeks later and it was fine.

I was NOT. The misery of the waiting has left me with a mole "thing" now and I am constantly checking the bloody things.

Your worry regarding the second mole that has changed, might just be a reaction to the anxiety caused by the whole thing.

I also have several irregular moles with jagged edges, I showed the dermatologist and he wasnt bothered. It is if they change that is more significant i think.

Recently been through this, it was nothing in the end.

He is doing the right thing by taking it off as you can never be too careful. Not worth leaving it and taking even a tiny risk

Thanks! that makes me feel a little better. i suppose I am just going to have to wait it out...

Nah, look. Doctors often prefer to take things out if they think there's even a tiny possibility something might be wrong.

I have hundreds of moles, some of them irregular, uneven- coloured etc. I did go to a dermato few years ago and they were fine. I will go again soon, but I get new moles every year, so there are always some that are changing ie growing. You might think that your mole has changed, but perhaps it didn't, you're just anxious.

Few months ago doctor found a veruca on the base of my tongue (deep in the throat)- gross, I know. He said he will remove it, so we made an appointment, went to the hospital, they took it out and sent it for biopsy. Was fine, just a veruca, but you see, they prefer to act just in case, which is the right way imo.

I've calmed down a little since last night so apologies for going off on one.

I think it's mainly because I noticed the change in the original mole just after having DD which is why I went to the Mole Clinic, so I think it's the possibility that they missed something iyswim

Thanks again

I had a dodgy mole on my face just after dc3 was born(family history of skin cancer). Had it removed, got the all clear. It is worrying but keep it in perspective x

Thanks again everyone, I think I may need to address some anxiety issues once this is sorted - I'm still up the wall and can't seem to get any perspective despite your reassurances and my own rational thoughts!

Has anyone had/has a triangular shaped mole?

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