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worried about skin cancer/mole removal

nebrahc
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I used apple cider vinegar on a mole I've had for as long as I can remember (about age 7) the mole was very small brown and only slightly raised, located on my nose near my eye. It never caused me any discomfort or irritation I just didn't like the way it looked so I burned it off then picked the rest of it off. I'm just now worried that maybe moles can turn cancerous even ones we have had since we were children and I'm worried that cells underneth could become cancerous but I would never be able to identify skin cancer as now the mole has gone? Maybe somebody could educate me on this, but I'm just worried that having removed it I could now never know that the cells become cancerous because there's no longer a mole there. Is it possible that if I have not removed everything fully underneth then those cells can become melanoma and I would never see? 

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    Hi,

    You don't say your age now? A mole is a cluster of pigmented skin cells that sit on the top layer of skin. For a mole that's been removed (as in your case) to leave anything behind below the surface, it would have to have been cancerous pre-removal (when you were 7). Only malignant moles start to grow below the top layer of skin into the lower layers. So technically nothing would have been left behind to grow down & then spread if it wasn't already malignant. I'm assuming you are a young adult? If so, and the mole had already been cancerous, you would have started to experience symptoms of a spread to internal organs or the bones or the brain well before now.

    Having said all that, I know you were very young & knew no difference but please know that any messing with moles (applying any substance, picking at it etc) is not recommended. Also, please ensure you use sunscreen on your face because any trauma to a mole can leave the skin underneath fragile to either another mole occurring or more serious UV damage when in the sun. 

    If this is causing you anxiety, please call your GP for their advice & they should be able to calm your fears. 

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient)

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Hi and sorry for not stating my age. I'm 28 right now. I had that mole for as long as I can remember, earliest memory would have been 7. But 2 weeks I finally decided to get rid of it myself. Thank you for your response and the information I appreciate that so much.

  • Offline in reply to nebrahc

    I would ask to see your GP and explain how you are feeling if you anxious 

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