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Potential skin cancer - symptoms other than the mole?

ashur
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Hi

This morning I decided to take a picture of the ‘spot’ I kept feeling on my back as I’d felt it first a few days ago and noticed when I got dressed it felt the same. I realised it was a scab on a mole that I’ve had about 12 years and had been to go about 10 hrs ago as it was big and irregular border. It was fine then he said to keep an eye as its big and this is the first time I’ve had a scab on it. 

As my dads had skin cancer before and I remember how urgent it was once it was confirmed to have it removed before it moved onto next stage I didn’t hesitate to call drs.

While I was waiting for their call I checked online and saw advanced melanoma symptoms are tired aching legs and swollen lymph nodes. I’d had to take a day off work just over a week ago as my legs were so tired but I thought it was just because it was a new job and was walking almost 8 hours a day! I have been run down and fatigued since then unusually so but thought it was cos I was healing from emotional pain to do with my family. 

yesterday I had a swollen gland on one side of throat and it felt like the energy that was making it swollen was also on one side of tongue I even took a picture to see if there were lumps there. I ate very healthily yesterday with watercress and ginger juice and a vegetable noodle broth I made, and felt ok this morning. I still feel more fatigued than usual but my throat and tongue doesn’t hurt but feels hot energy in throat area, and chest slightly warmer than other areas of body

i was trying to find out if early stages of skin cancer our bodies fight the infection the way it would a cold and just because my glands are up and fatigue is that normal cos the body knows there is some infection to fight or would it only do that if the cancer (if it is cancer) has spread from the melanoma? 

I wonder if anybody knows if just having stage 1 or early stage 2 where it’s only in the mole did or does the body start showing signs it’s fighting an infection then? 

thank you for taking the time to read this and letting me know your experience. I would Prefer to know the truth or what is and isn’t possible as at least I know whether to be a bit more determined as nurse at GP surgery didn’t even seem to think it was anything worth noting initially which shocked me as it looked suspicious even 10 years ago when I first noticed it!  She has taken pic and sent them to dermatologist anyway. 

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    RE-QUOTE FROM FIRST PARAGRAPH AS REALISED IT NEEDS EDITING TO MAKE SENSE!  

    I realised it was a scab on a mole that I’ve had about 12 years and had been to a GP about 10 yrs ago as it was big with an irregular border. It was fine then (10yrs ago) he said to keep an eye on it as its big. Today is the first time I’ve found a scab on it ever and as it’s always been flat it’s unlikely to be a scab caused by knocking it. 

  • Offline in reply to ashur

    Hello ashur, 

    You did well to call the doctor's as any scab and potential change to a mole needs to be investigated or at least examined by a doctor. Make sure you also mention to the doctor these other symptoms you've experienced such as the tired aching legs and swollen lymph nodes but try not to anticipate the worst or draw any conclusions based on what you've read online as there could be all sorts of other explanations for these symptoms but only a medical expert will be able to tell you more. It's well known that looking things up online will always bring up the most frightening and least likely possibilities so try and resist the urge to do so or it will make you more anxious. It's good they have taken a photo and sent it to a dermatologist who will be able to tell you more and determine whether this scab on your mole looks a bit suspicious and needs further investigation. 

    I am keeping everything crossed for you and hope that you find out more soon and that you will hear from other members of our community who have had something similar before and that they will pop by and share their story with you. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

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