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Melanoma & Skin Cancer support: Introduce yourself and connect
Melanoma & Skin Cancer | Last Active: Nov 21 6:18pm | Replies (127)Comment receiving replies
I am 74 years old have had an ugly dark mole on my shoulder for years that looked suspicious. My husband , a retired primary care doctor felt like it should be taken seriously and even referred to it as my “ melanoma” as he kept an eye on it. When I asked my primary care doctor, a dermatologist, my oncologist ( uterine cancer “cured” three years ago ) , the oncologist PA —- all said “ No, that mole is fine”. Well finally a new dermatologist removed it and biopsy came back melanoma - stage 1 superficial.3. I am waiting for the next step. Praying that it had been “fine” and just now turned into cancer. My husband was right all along. Anyone else had similar experiences?
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@wrightvillebeach
I know when I asked my primary care doctor about a suspicious thing on my skin he referrs me to dermatology. He is my Mayo PCP and of course Mayo Jacksonville has an oustanding dermatology department.
I have not had melanoma but about 8-9 BCC. I only had 1 SCC until now. I just had dermatology appointment on 18th. Two biopsies taken and now have 2 new SCCs.
What I have found is that SCC seem to appear out of wounds, sores, that do not heal. The BCC appear to be pimple type look. I know these last 2 SCCs had a gray crust on top. I have a habit on scratching raised things (unconsciously) on my body so did not think much about them except one on back of arm by elbow that would not heal and hurt to put arm down.
Both are in sitro (still in skin) and will probably have MOHS as that is what all rests were treated.
A mole can appear to be normal and then grow/change into cancer. I know every time I asked about a mole they say something like mature spot, or not an issue unless causing discomfort. But I see a dermatologist at Mayo Jacksonville every year for complete body inspection. If I had melanoma diagnosis the seeing would be much more often per my dermatologist.
Good luck. You have a lot of options on treating it with great sucess rate since is stage 1.