Scared of having melanoma. Please help

[Moso]

In my health we are learning about melanoma and now I'm scared. I've had this big mole on the side of my breast for a really long time and was never really worried about it because it has always been there. But now that Im looking at it I'm getting anxious. Its big, but not bigger than an eraser on a pencil. It looks symmetric, but along the border it looks a bit darker. It never hurts and I never notice is ooze or anything. Its mostly dark all over, but a little darker on the edges. I have a couple big moles on my back that have always been there, but again I can't look at my own back so I don't know if they look like this one. Im scared because if it is melanoma its been there for years and that means I would probably die from it, right? Please help, Im too scared to go to the doctor.

 

[_Lukas]

I have lots of moles and freckles on my chest and shoulders, and they look a lot like what you're describing. I've been to the dermatologist and was told that they're not anything to worry about.

If you had melanoma and had had it for a long time, some of the symptoms you would be experiencing would include redness or swelling, itchiness, tenderness, or pain, and oozing or bleeding.
Hopefully this information helps, and if you're too scared to go to the doctor, maybe you could take a picture of the mole and have a dermatologist look at it online?
Hopefully you can get this sorted out soon. Keep us updated!

 

[Moso]

I have lots of moles and freckles on my chest and shoulders, and they look a lot like what you're describing. I've been to the dermatologist and was told that they're not anything to worry about.

If you had melanoma and had had it for a long time, some of the symptoms you would be experiencing would include redness or swelling, itchiness, tenderness, or pain, and oozing or bleeding.
Hopefully this information helps, and if you're too scared to go to the doctor, maybe you could take a picture of the mole and have a dermatologist look at it online?
Hopefully you can get this sorted out soon. Keep us updated!

When I touch it, the skin around it turns red. And its really raised up. Is it bad that its not flat?

 

[_Lukas]

When I touch it, the skin around it turns red. And its really raised up. Is it bad that its not flat?

Moles can be raised up and not flat. That isn't necessarily a sign that you should be concerned.
When it turns red, is it painful? If it's painful you should definitely see a dermatologist. If you're too scared to go in person, would it be easier to call your doctor on the phone or send them an email?

 

[Moso]

Moles can be raised up and not flat. That isn't necessarily a sign that you should be concerned.
When it turns red, is it painful? If it's painful you should definitely see a dermatologist. If you're too scared to go in person, would it be easier to call your doctor on the phone or send them an email?

The actual mole doesn't turn red, its the skin around it that becomes red from pressing down. And it only hurts when I keep on continually touching it or rubbing or i might just be imagining it. It really isn't painful

 

[Concernedgal]

 

[Mrs_MustardSeed]

My mother had a mole on the side of her breast for years, and it increased in size as she aged. The doctors too a biopsy and ended up being nothing, just a growth. We get moles and weird things all the time, completely unexplained. Sometimes I get dry, flaky patches on my skin and face at random. Been happening for years, but I have to remember to stay in control and not let my mind run wild, even though its extremely hard and I falter a lot. The only reason you're scared of melanoma is because you're learning about it. Its perfectly normal.

 

[_Lukas]

The actual mole doesn't turn red, its the skin around it that becomes red from pressing down. And it only hurts when I keep on continually touching it or rubbing or i might just be imagining it. It really isn't painful

I think you're going to be okay If you're still worried about it in a few days, it would be best to get in touch with a professional just to help put your mind at ease.
I hope you feel better!

 

[Concernedgal]

Unless your mole looks anything like this... you should be fine. Take lukas advice though ... go see a dermatologist when in doubt.

 

[Concernedgal]

Wow. We are active on here tonight. Lol

 

[Mrs_MustardSeed]

Theres no way to know for sure unless you see a doctor. People can have moles and marks that look like either of these and all could be benign.

 

[Concernedgal]

True.

 

[Moso]

View attachment 510

Thanks for being active guys haha. Mine is like a in between of those. I just really don't want to go to the doctor, but I know if I don't i won't be able to get my mind to drop it. Or maybe I'll get my boyfriend to look at it and see what he thinks

 

[Concernedgal]

Try to go to a general practitioner first and they will tell you whether or not you have anything to worry about. You save money that way too. Lol. And you are so very welcome. We were happy to help.

 

[Moso]

Try to go to a general practitioner first and they will tell you whether or not you have anything to worry about. You save money that way too. Lol. And you are so very welcome. We were happy to help.

I go to a university so I will probably just go to the health center here

 

[Concernedgal]

Good idea .

 

[_Lukas]

I go to a university so I will probably just go to the health center here

Sounds like a good plan. Hopefully they'll be helpful!

 

[Moso]

Good idea .

Summer of 2016 I got a random lymph node swollen when sick and it eventually went down, but it is still a little noticeable. Like I could still feel it. Could that be a sign?

 

[Concernedgal]

A sign of what?

 

[Concernedgal]

A swollen lymph node is a sign of your body fighting off infection not cancer.