New mole - what great timing!

[mollyfin]

Like I wasn't stressing enough about neuro stuff, a new mole popped up on my foot (or I'm just now noticing it; it's in a spot that's not right in my line of sight so I could've been missing it for a while). I know I'm usually the one lecturing people on how melanoma is rarer than it seems and there's no need to panic over moles, but a new one at my age is pretty weird, so I plan on getting it checked out. I feel like I'm a normal level of concerned about it right now - my plan is to see if I can find a dermatologist who's doing in-office visits right now and get it looked at (PSA: always get new moles checked in adulthood! Most of them are just moles, but skin checks are easy and noninvasive, and skin cancer is more common in new moles than in old ones, so there's literally no reason not to. Unless you don't have insurance, in which case, it's still best to get them checked out and there may be services in your area for lower-cost or free exams! Back to my regularly scheduled worrying now.) But I'm just waiting for the panic bomb to go off. Oh god what if my neuro symptoms are from melanoma brain mets, etc. It's like I can see the pattern my worries are going to take before they get here.

 

[rockettee88]

Hi there,
I am a nurse in the derm field. Most melanomas actually occur in already existing moles. We do tend to keep an eye on hand and feet moles more often but this does not mean its melanoma. There are a lot of things to keep in mind. Have you ever had any moles biopsied before that can back abnormal. How large is this mole? Does it look irregular in size (larger then a pencil eraser) or are the borders irregular or different colors or does it look uniform?
Let me know so I might be able to calm you a little

 

[mollyfin]

Hard to say what the edges are like or if colors are uniform since it's fairly small. Probably somewhere between 1-2 mm. I've never had a mole come back malignant but I think I've had dysplastic moles before.

 

[rockettee88]

If it’s that small , it’s most likely just a mild/mod dysplastic if anything. Of course it’s better to get it checked out when you can. Just wanted to ease your mind a little

 

[mollyfin]

Thanks it’s appreciated I actually worked in a hospitals dermatology department some years ago (not in a medical capacity) and it weirdly helped my anxiety - I spent hours of every day processing test results and 99.99% of them were benign or low risk conditions. But a new mole still makes me worried. Also not sure how to see a derm right now because everything is done over video chat...don’t they need to look at moles in person? I am so looking forward to offices being open again!
Pic just because I’m bad at guessing measurements

 

[rockettee88]

Most moles are not melanoma so that’s a good thing. Ugghhh I totally understand wanting offices to be open. Yes, we use a dermatoscope to look at the structures of the mole. When was your last skin check?
Please don’t lose sleep over this

 

[mollyfin]

December of 2018. So I'm a bit past due.