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Mole on Foot - First time getting photos

MattU
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Hi Everyone,

First time ever posting here. Just feeling I need a community insight / advice. 

I have had numerous moles across my body since I was small, they've arrived on and off over the years. I have them in all weird and wonderful places. I have always had one mole on my foot since I could ever remember, then a few years ago (along with others across my body) one sprung up on the arch of my foot. While a little different, it never has concerned me and after losing a relative to skin cancer and my mother have a variation of it, I have always been skin aware. 

Over the few years I have observed it and feel there has been no change. However after my mum passed away last year (unrelated to cancers) and my family grew with my son, I had a new perspective on life. So felt I would look into mole mapping.

A few months ago I asked my GP who (to my surprise) without seeing put new in for a referral to a dermatologist. He looked me over and generally said they were in good shape. However he was interested in the newer one on my foot....only about 3mm. I went for my photos the following day and now we wait. 

I have a habit of worrying and reading about acral lentiginous melanoma and so on has left me nervous. Information is complicated and scarce. I was show a close up of the mole during the photos and I find myself comparing. My imagination is running wild and at only 30, I can't help but feel if all is well, this may be the first bag of nerves of many as I go through annual checks. 

Just looking for advice from anyone with experiences of this. While you see moles on people's faces and arms, you don't often see people's soles and palms, so never know how common it is. 

Thanks, Matt

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Offline in reply to MattU

    That's great news,we both in same boat then.Just have to put it behind us till next year now

  • Offline in reply to Helenbrad37

    I can't help but be a little paranoid about it still but that being said, I'm reassured by the dermatologist.

    It would be good to keep in touch! 

  • Offline in reply to MattU

    I felt like that for a few days and wanted a 3rd opinion but then I came to the conclusion that the 2nd dermatologist must know what she talking about so I have relaxed now.All we can do is keep a close eye and go back sooner if we concerned.Try to relax.Yes let's keep in touch 

  • Offline in reply to Helenbrad37

    Hey Helen, was just wondering how things were getting on?

    I still get nervous about mine but don't think I will ever be happy, just paranoid! Haha. Not sure when to expect an appointment and was wondering whether you had heard or might chase?

     

  • Offline in reply to MattU

    Hi Everyone 

    I have just come across this post after googling (i know!) about my moles. History is numerous bad sunburns and major sunbed worshipper when younger ‍♀️

    Mole popped up on my back around a yr ago, lone mole fits the 'ugly duckling' image (dont have any others like this and only have a scattering of freckles mainly down my left side) its seen as fine by GP when checked with the dermatoscope so now under review. 

    Around 6mths ago i noticed what looked like a freckle on the sole of my left foot (same side as mole on back). It is very small and initially looked quite pale but have noticed (to me anyway) that it looks slightly darker and more noticeable. The GP checked it last October and went in recently for him to review it. He didnt seem  too concerned but then the next thing i knew i had a 2 week referral letter to see the dermatologist!. Been for appointment today and shes offered to remove it and the one on my back too if i wanted to get both done at the same time. Im just concerned that from what i have read that freckles/moles on the sole of your foot are very unusual and something to be concerned about? Just wondering if anyone has heard this too? Hospital rang and booked me in next week and they will obviously biopsy them too. 

  • Offline in reply to MattU

    So sorry I took so long to reply.My check up appointment is next Friday.Will keep you posted how I get on.No changes with mole

  • Offline in reply to Tracey.B

    Hi,

    Moles on the soles and palms are treated as suspicious, however it doesn't mean they are always cancerous.

    I had one removed from the sole of my foot (found by the surgeon when I was having one removed from my back) - it was thankfully benign. Please be aware that you need to keep your foot elevated for the first day or two to ensure it doesn't bleed. Good luck and please let us know how you get on.

    Angie (melanoma patient)

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Hi Angie thanks for the reply and the advice! 

    the nagging doubt is the location? Im wondering what the percentage of lesions found on the sole of the foot turn out to be malignant? Im actually please i showed her my back and happy she offered to remove that one aswell so there is some relief there as this one has also worried me for a while

     

  • Offline in reply to Tracey.B

    Hi Tracey,

    I never got notified about your post so for the late response.

    From my experience on here it is so dependant on your personal review my the dermatologist. Like you say, how the mole looks amongst others, whether you have other moles in that area, it's behaviour and massively down to the dermatologist themselves. Some seem to be keen to cut them out and others not so much. 

    When I went to the dermatologist (6 months ago) he reserved judgement for the photos, once they came he just said it was fine. Next week I have a call with him and will interrogate further. In all honesty though, there has been no change or worrying features just a little weird in shape. 

    In terms of "how many are malignant". Research online will lead you down all avenues and remember, if you put the search term in that is what you will get, put benign in you'll get articles on benign moles. 

    If you are ever stuck on one professionals conclusion, just go to another. But I think it comes a point where you just have to trust their judgement and just follow the ABCD rules.

     

  • Offline in reply to Helenbrad37

    Hope it went well Helen? I have a phone.check up (for what it's worth) next week. 

    If I am.not filled with confidence I might have to just seek privately. Just for the second opinion. 

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