As a health anxiety sufferer, this is my worst fear. I went to the dermatologist as I have been getting regular check ups. I had a lot of unprotected sun exposure as a teenager and in to my 20s...that's what we did back in the 70's and early 80's...sunscreen? SPF 5? Anyway, he saw one spot on my scalp that was "darker " than the others and a mole on my back (small) that was dark with irregular borders. He removed them, and I now am in Hell Week waiting for the results. I have had "atypical moles" removed before, and he felt this was the most likely scenario, but wouldn't be forthcoming which makes me nervous. Do they only biopsies when they suspect cancer?
Scared....just had two moles removed for biopsy
- Thread starter Richard G
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Kelculator
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Well, I don't know where they draw the line between "okay" and "suspicious". I feel like doctors are always playing safe, so a lot of things are suspicious to them. While a lot of people are told they have weird lump in their breasts, even very "suspicious" ones that looked like cancer, the results mostly come back normal.
For the sunlight exposure thing... While it is not a good thing indeed, i believe most people are gility of this, so you are barelh having a higher chance than the average of developing skin cancer.
Again, i don't have much knowledge here to contribute regarding the situation, but i hope that helped to ease your mind a tiny bit.
For the sunlight exposure thing... While it is not a good thing indeed, i believe most people are gility of this, so you are barelh having a higher chance than the average of developing skin cancer.
Again, i don't have much knowledge here to contribute regarding the situation, but i hope that helped to ease your mind a tiny bit.
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Good to know!
janemariesayed
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Can you imagine the job of a doctor? Having to tell someone that they are terminally ill as part of the job? That must be awful. They really have to care about what they say to people or they can be held to account. So, they are going to tell you what they think. They can't say one thing and it be another. I'm glad you had good news @Richard G it must be a relief.
It is a great relief. Regarding what drs. say, you are absolutely right..put yourself in their shoes....if you saw something that you were pretty sure was bad news, your response would probably be "wait for the results of xyz test...very stressful for both patient and dr.
janemariesayed
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Yes, especially that they cannot say for sure until they get any results in. They take into consideration how the patient must feel. And in this day and age where we are suing everyone left right and centre because they have done something menial. The docs must worry about being struck off so they have to tread carefully.