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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

    Oh would you believe I missed my appointment as I had the wrong day written down, so got to wait till next Thursday now.Let you know how I get on.Try not to worry

  • Offline in reply to Helenbrad37

    Ah we've all done it! 

    Im not too worried but it is in my nature to be inquisitive. Just interested to know what makes him say "don't worry about it" versus anything else. 

  • Offline in reply to Helenbrad37

    So I had my appointment yesterday and saw a 3rd dermatologist.She looked at the mole and compared it to pictures took in December.Her opinion was that it is darker in colour and needs to come off,she thinks it's a sun related melanoma.Been referred urgently to have it removed,and been told I will need a skin graft because of where it is.Really angry and worried

  • Offline in reply to Helenbrad37

    I'm really sorry to hear that. 

    I think it gets tricky because having seen 3 different people you get 3 different opinions. I'm surprised she has said something outright like that it is melanoma without waiting for the result of the biopsy, but they all have different styles I guess. 

    Just hang on in there until you get the result of the biopsies and hopefully it is nothing in the end or if it is something, it has been dealt with and you need not worry anymore.

    I had my call with the dermatologist. Generally they did not seem concerned and just asked whether it had changed to which my opinion is no. But in a couple of months I should be seeing the specialist in person again as he promised, 6 monthly check up then an annual review. 

    I do not know your age but at 30, I've always been careful in the sun and I suppose we are both doing things the right way - acting on our concerns, getting then checked - as opposed to doing nothing.

    Try to not worry too much, it is all a scary journey and it is still early days. Take care. 

  • Offline in reply to Helenbrad37

    I am wondering if you received your biopsy results and how it went? I am in a similar situation and can't help but feel a sense of dread 

  • Offline in reply to Aurelia87

    I am also wondering how you got on with your mole? I have to have 3 removed urgently,  one on face, 2 on the sole of my foot. I have annual mole checks and these will be my 9th mole removals by the time all 3 are off. I also have been advised I may need a skin graft on the foot (one of the ones on my foot is around the size of a 5p). I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience of this? 

  • Offline in reply to Angeladelight1

    Based on my research it is standard practice to remove any mole on the sole of the foot which is greater than 7mm in diameter. Try not to worry, it is great that you are having them removed. Wishing you all the best xx

  • Offline in reply to Aurelia87

    Yes I'm glad to be getting it removed! Just the unusual location I was wondering if anyone had already gone through  it x

  • Offline in reply to Angeladelight1

    Hi,

    Yes, I've had a mole removed from the sole of my foot. It wasn't large but because I'm already a melanoma patient & it was found by my surgeon, it was decided to remove it. Thankfully it was benign. 

    Good luck to you and Aurelia and please let us know how you get on,

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Thank you for your reply. What was the recovery period like for that? How long did you have to rest for? Did you get a skin graft? X 

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