‘high risk’ mole

Hi, for context i'm a 19 year old female. 

I have a mole on my breast i've been worrying about the past 2 years as it matches all ABCDE characteristics, however i've had it looked at my a GP who specialises in dermatology who says it didn't look too worrying and sent me away - but i couldn't help but worry she didn't take me seriously because of my age, and she even mentioned she wouldn't want to biopsy it because it's on my breast, which won't heal very nicely 

concerned, i downloaded an app to check the mole and it said it was likely ok, and while i was at it i checked the mole next to it, and this was detected by the app as high risk. This other mole i've had as long as i can remember, at least since age 8, and although it looks dodgy (it resembles a black spitz nevus, it's small, almost perfectly round but very black with a slight red border. 

Because i've had this mole as long as i can remember, i always assumed it was fine, but now i'm so worried it's been cancer all along and i've left it god knows how long. surely if it was cancerous i would know by now because it would have spread, right??? but then again i know melanoma can grow very slowly, so i'm completely panicking right now 

I remember my mum being concerned about it when i was about 8, i'm not sure if she took me to a doctor or not though as i can't remember. My boyfriend has also expressed his concern about it in the past, but i brushed it off because i had it so long.

I have a doctors appointment next month to check both miles mentioned but i need help easing my nerves in the mean time, is this likely to be bad? 

  • Hello and thank you for your post.

    I can appreciate your concern, you have done the right thing in getting the moles checked out. Remember that while most lumps and bumps will turn out not to be cancer I cannot give you absolute reassurance that these will not.

    Unfortunately, we nearly all will have to go through times when our health is a concern. All I can say is wait to be seen, stop trying to figure out what this could be before then as this could be contributing to your anxiety.

    When you do get to see your GP do ask them to explain about any decisions made, for example if there is no concern that either of these could be cancer to explain why this is the case. They see lots of moles and will know if they need to be further investigated. 

    Meanwhile I hope you are able to carry on with your life, keeping busy can help people get through worrying times. And that you have the kindness and support of family and friends. 

    Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Take care,

    Caroline