I am new and concerned.

northcalimomma · New User Joined: 04 Nov 2007 Posts: 8

Hello,

I am a 24 year old mother of three and I have a question about a mark that showed up a few years and has slowly gotten bigger. What concerns me is the color and shape of it. Here is a picture of it.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j220/lisabocks/skin.jpg

Should I go and get it looked at? It is on my lower stomach and I would say it is about half the size of a pencil eraser. Thank you soo much in advance to everyone who responds. I am hoping to here that I am just be paranoid or overcautious Very Happy

sodapop · Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 1:37 pm Post subject: Re: I am new and concerned.

Welcome to the forum!

I am not an expert but since it's been getting bigger over the years, I would say get it checked. It can't hurt to find out for sure.

The mole is a little irregular in shape and looks a little discolored, which could mean nothing, but definitely schedule an appointment with a Dermatologists as soon as you can. Don't be to worried or scared, but don't wait, these things are no joke, and early detection is the key.

Let us know how it goes.
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Jim_Hall · Regular Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 48

I would have it checked just in case. Mine just looked like an normal symetrical mole but it was nodular melanoma. Even the dermatologist didn't know it before the biopsy. Mine kept getting bigger too gradually with other symptoms. In my experience you can't rely on appearance alone, a biopsy will be the major help in determining if it is anything.

northcalimomma · New User Joined: 04 Nov 2007 Posts: 8

Thank you soo much for the replies. I guess I just haven't worried about it too much because I am young. I feel like it has doubled in the last year in size and I am going to call tomorrow to schedule an appt. Thank you soo much again Smile

Jim_Hall · Regular Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 48

[quote="northcalimomma"]Thank you soo much for the replies. I guess I just haven't worried about it too much because I am young. I feel like it has doubled in the last year in size and I am going to call tomorrow to schedule an appt. Thank you soo much again Smile

[/quote]

I don't think you can ever be too young. I noticed sodapop's story and he had his removed at 18. I had mine removed at 19 and noticed when I was 16. Plus I've never tanned. So don't think you're too young.

northcalimomma · New User Joined: 04 Nov 2007 Posts: 8

I know it is stupid of me to think that age has anything to do with it. I have used tanning bed before but not much at all I coul count how many. I have an appt. scheduled for Nov. 30th I wonder if they will do a biopsie then and there or if I will ave to schedule another appt. I hate going to the doctor Smile

brainman · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 8:29 pm Post subject: Re: I am new and concerned.

It really depends on your doctor, what he can do in his office, and what he thinks about that mole. Is he a dermatologist or oncologist? If so, I would expect that he would be able to freeze it and remove it to send for a pathologist to look at. If you are seeing a GP, he might send you to a specialist to look at it. I totally agree with sodapop, these things are nothing to be messed around with.
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Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
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northcalimomma · New User Joined: 04 Nov 2007 Posts: 8

Brainman- Well I am just going to a clinic. I don't have insurance and thay have some financial help. Do you think I should just schedule with a specialist? I have to admit reading peoples stories on here has me scared. Another health problem I have is that I am always dizzy. I just had a baby in April and have been dizy almost everyday since I was about 23 weeks prenant. So for almost a year. I was going to talk to the doc at the clinic about the "mole" and the dizzyness.

brainman · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 9:05 pm Post subject: Re: I am new and concerned.

The mole and the dizziness are probably not related. I do not want to frighten you anymore than you already are. I know it is easier said than done, but worrying has never helped anyone except to motivate them to take action... and you are already doing that.

As for going to a clinic, most clinics that I know about do have the necessary equipment and training to remove a mole. I do not think you need to see a specialist at this time. What you might want to do is call the clinic and ask them if you should go ahead and schedule an appointment with a specialist. The specialist will probably not be able to see you for at least a week and by then you will have already seen the doctor at the clinic. If he says you need to see a specialist, you already are ahead of the game. If he doesn't think that is necessary at this point, you can call and cancel your appointment Wink

You will still need to see the doctor at the clinic in order to find out the cause of the dizziness you are experiencing. There are so many causes for a person feeling dizzy. Most are not cancers. It could be an inner ear problem or a blood problem just to name a couple of likely candidates.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

northcalimomma · New User Joined: 04 Nov 2007 Posts: 8

Yeah thats is the things I came up with for dizzyness too. Thank you for putting me at ease a bit Smile

I was thinking I should just schedule an appt with a dermotologist. I already have the clinic appt so I will go to that as well. Thank you again.

sodapop · Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 11:08 pm Post subject: Re: I am new and concerned.

I just wanted to stop in and say that I'm puting you in my nightly prayers Very Happy

I wish you the best. I really hope everything goes well for you.

Keep us updated on the results.

CYA,
_________________
Can miracles happen?

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Sodapop--aka "the survivor"!

northcalimomma · New User Joined: 04 Nov 2007 Posts: 8

Well I had my appt and just wanted to post and update. The doctor thinks what I have I not cancerous and is in fact a heamangioma. So I all clear, just have to hope that it doen't grow any bigger. Thank you everyone for your replies. I greatly appreciate all of them!

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 789 Location: UK

So glad you have had good news! Hope all goes well from now on.

sodapop · Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 8:37 pm Post subject: Re: I am new and concerned.

That's such great news to hear!

Way to go. Cool

Keep us updated on things.
_________________
Can miracles happen?

http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7254

Sodapop--aka "the survivor"!

northcalimomma · New User Joined: 04 Nov 2007 Posts: 8

Thank you again. I wasn't sure if it was okay to post that it was good news or not. Very Happy

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