Hi Karen,

If you have any worries about moles or freckles you need to go see your GP and get them checked out. I know it's a worrying time for you and you need answers, but trust me when I tell you that the GP's the best place to get your answers (and not Google).

I know that we are in uncertain times with Covid 19 but are you ok with a face to face appointment with your doctor?

Jason

Hi Jason, 

Thanks for replying. I know my post made me sound a little crazy, I'm a real hypochondriac ! I have no problem with a face to face meeting with my GP, as I said I scheduled an appointment for Tuesday . I live in Ireland, so we are pretty much in the clear to see a doctor.

 I feel like I'm jumping to crazy conclusions, it's just driving me crazy!

Thanks again for the reply

Karen

Hi Karen,

No not at all, Cancer is a very scary thing to have. Waiting for appointments seems like an eternity but they do come around in the end. I would go through all sorts of things in my head whilst waiting for appointments and results. 

Sorry that you aren't able to get the answers that you want here at the moment. But I hope that if you need any support we can help you.

Jason

Thanks Jason,

Fingers crossed I dont have cancer your replies mean a lot !

Karen

Hi Karen,

Please keep us posted and I hope that your ok.

Jason

Hi Karen,

I know how scary it is when you starting looking at your moles, bumps and freckles not remembering if you've seen them before. What I did for my appointment was draw a body map of everything I wanted looking at.

My GP only looked at my main one and i was given an urgent Dermatology appointment. It was a nodular melanoma, not at all like a mole.

Tuesdays not far away, will you be ok till then?

Jason

Hey Jason,

I'm currently talking to my friend on the phone and we are going over how just because it doesnt look right, doesnt mean its cancer or anything. I feel like I'm over analysing my body and need to relax before tuesday, I'll update you if I start panicking too much.

The good news is I've been able to stomach a bit of food :) 

Karen

Hi Karen,

Jason has given you very good advice & it's good that you already have a GP appointment booked as I'm sure they will be able to put your mind at rest.

Meanwhile, I suggest you focus on the positives - you are young & it's common for moles to appear and disappear. At so young an age it's rare to be diagnosed with a cancerous mole. All the moles you have may show slight abnormalities but don't sound to be obvious enough to cause concern - of course the GP may show caution & ask a dermatologist to check them as they are the expert. It's very rare for someone to have more than one cancerous mole at the same time. Your family has no history of skin cancer. Lastly, because your moles have started to become a worry to you it's only human to start fixating on anything new that you find, as with the latest one you've found. We all do it - melanoma patients have to keep an eye on all their moles for changes and sometimes we become fixated on one that we think looks odd but when checked by the dermatologist it's fine. 

So my advice is that, until Tuesday please don't look at any of your moles as you will escalate your worry. Nothing is going to change over the next 2 days. If you must, take a photo of the moles that are worrying you today & then check the photos against the moles on Tuesday prior to your appointment. If you feel any further changes have occurred you can show the photos to your GP. 75% of patients referred to dermatology are given a clean bill of health so I'm sure that the odds are in your favour.

Take care & please let us know how you get on,

Angie (melanoma patient)

Hi Angie,

Thanks for your reply, its putting my mind at ease.

Is it bad that I want to get referred? I feel like I need to see a dermatologist to gain peace of mind. Do you have any advice for how to stop googling? Looking up things is starting to drive me crazy :/ I've irritated my skin by checking my moles constantly and its sore, which is making me worry even more!

I hate that I'm jumping to conclusions

Karen