Hi Katielou,

Ok, take a big breath and slow down. Stop using Dr Google as it only heightens stress and everyone tries to self diagnose themselves! 

You don't say where your mole is and if you noticed it before you were pregnant. It's not unusual to get new moles any time up to the age of 40, especially during pregnancy. As your GP mentioned, just being dark doesn't mean it's dodgy - I have several dark moles that are absolutely fine according to my consultant. Did your GP refer you to dermatology? If not, it will be because the mole has to score 3 points of concern (including colour, size, shape etc). If your mole is only dark they may not refer you.

With regards to your rib pain and blood results, that may point to a problem unconnected with your mole. Also, the loss of appetite and night sweats are not known symptoms of advanced melanoma.

Hopefully the X Ray will answer some of your concerns. Meanwhile, if you haven't been referred to dermatology you can either seek a private consultation (if you can afford the fee, around £200 I believe) or monitor the mole for a time for any changes. You can do this by downloading the Skin vision App or taking a monthly photo with a ruler next to the mole - this will show if there is any change in size, symmetry and colour). If it changes don't hesitate to see your GP again. If you have been referred to dermatology they will hopefully be able to put your mind at rest. 75% of patients referred to dermatology receive a clean bill of health.

Good luck and please let us know how you get on.

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Hi Ange,

Thank you so much for replying.  
The mole is on my ribs, I had it there before my pregnancy,

I found a picture of it from over a year ago and it looks the same then from what I can see.  My GP referred me to dermatology as a two week urgent as I was so upset.  Dermatologist said he's only removing it because I'm so anxious and he would be amazed if anything came back from it.  I've got the removal booked for the end of may.

I really panicked over the blood results when I worked out what it meant, but the GP put no action required next to it and never contacted me, this was before the rib pain started again though.  

im praying the lack of appetite and sweats are down to anxiety, I'm 100% convinced is secondary cancer, even more so as these tender lumps have now appeared, although I'm hoping those are because I've been constantly proding myself to see where the pain is coming from.  I've had back pain today which as you can imagine has near enough tipped me over.

Unfortunately I lost my mum to secondary bone cancer in December (unknown primary), all completely out of the blue and she only had 6 months after she was diagnosed.  

I just hope all of this is really anxiety and it just so happens the symptoms sort of tie in.

xx

Just an update for anyone that’s read / will read the post in the future.  I’m very pleased to say the mole came back benign.  I really couldn’t believe it when they said.   Xray and bloods also came back clear.  After weeks of convincing myself the mole was bad and had already started spreading, I feel like I can finally breathe again.  I near enough spent every minute constantly on google desperately trying to find reassurance, and alot of the time I wouldn’t even be aware of which website I was on.  It’s true that you really can end up down a rabbit hole on google!