Hi,

I know that feeling when you are told this news & it's come entirely out of the blue - you feel that the bottom has just dropped out of your world.

It will take some time to sink in but meanwhile please let me try and calm your fears, if only a little. The fact you have had your mole for at least 2 years doesn't mean (if it is melanoma) that it has been cancerous for 2 years. It takes some time for the cells in moles to turn cancerous so it could be that it's only recently changed. Also, if the consultant thinks it's shallow (Stage 0 or 1), it means that it hasn't had the time to grow deeper so it sounds like you caught it early anyway (probably more good luck than good management).

The other thing to hang onto is that - although dermatologists are the experts, they too can get it wrong! Melanoma is almost impossible to diagnose with the naked eye and although some use a dermascope to check for cell changes, it still doesn't mean it's definitely malignant - only a biopsy can tell for sure. Sometimes moles can be dysplastic (atypical) - they look dodgy because the cells are starting to change but they haven't yet become malignant - it could be one of these. My personal experience is that my dermatologist would tell you what she 'strongly thought' it was but always followed it up with the caveat that she may be wrong. On the two occasions she thought it was melanoma she was proved right. However, other consultants over the years removed 6 moles that they thought were dodgy & they turned out to be benign - so consultants can sometimes be wrong!

All that being said, if it turns out to be malignant don't panic - you have caught it early and between 95% - 100% of patients (depending on whether Stage 1 or 0) have no further problems in the future. Stage 0 cannot spread as it hasn't grown below the top layer of skin - Stage 1 has a very, very small chance of spreading depending on how deep it's grown in the lower layers of skin. So the odds that you will be fine are very good - if it's melanoma! Hopefully you won't be waiting long and the results will bring good news. Meanwhile, keep busy to distract yourself - use meditation or mindfulness to help quell the anxiety (lots can be found on YouTube). Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (melanoma patient)

Hi Angie,

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond, I really appreciate it. Your words are very comforting and I keep reading your message when my thoughts spiral out of control (today has been another bad day, I just can't stop crying.)

I had a call for my appointment which is on Thursday which has given me some relief as they said I may have to wait a couple of weeks. It's so hard not to think the worst and think you've got cancer spreading all over your body as you're sat waiting for answers x

It's great that you don't have to wait long for your mole removing and it will feel a little easier to deal with, knowing it's gone. The next wait, for the results, will also be challenging so I suggest that you plan things to do that will keep you busy & distracted, whether it be work, hobbies, exercise or just pampering yourself & trying some meditation. Make your mantra 'I've caught it early' and you will get through it. Please let us know how you get on,

Angie x

Hi Angie,

Hope you're well and having a good week.

I'm counting down the hours until my appointment tomorrow. I thought I'd feel less stressed the closer it got to having it removed but I'm more anxious than ever. I've turned into a complete paranoid mess since last Thursday - including a visit to urgent care at the weekend because of some random tummy pains that I'd convinced myself were because of cancer, a GP appointment and a physio appointment yesterday because of really bad back pains (probably bought on by stress). Every ache or pain sends me into a panic - I'm currently convinced my lymph nodes in my groin are swollen. 

I keep trying to tell myself that it would be a massive coincidence that after 2 years, all these symptoms suddenly start as soon as I'm told I could have melanoma, but nothing it helping reduce this fear and anxiety. 

I know there's nothing you can say that you haven't already said but I just needed somewhere to come and vent my worries. I just want all of this to be over so I can carry on with life (with far more appreciation for my health and life in general than I had before!)

Gina x

Hi.

I am in the same boat as you however I have hod a nodule removed 8 weeks ago and waiting on results, I have also had a ct scan last week and again waiting on results for that.

I am the same as you every ache and pain I am putting it down to cancer been spread etc. I am glad I am not the only one, it's such a horrible time with the wait. 
I hope your appointment goes well tomorow. 

Hey, thanks for your reply. The waiting is agonising isn't it :( and I'm only at the beginning so I can't imagine what you must be going through having waited 8 weeks so far. 

I hope you get some answers soon and it's good news. If you want someone to talk to or anything feel free to message me x

Hi,

I just wondered how you got on yesterday? I hope you aren't in too much discomfort and that you don't have to wait too long for your results.

Angie x

Hi Angie,

Yeah it went ok, it's can get pretty uncomfortable but I felt relieved when it was gone. Now just the agonising wait. I've got an appointment to get my results on 1st April. I've been to see the GP again this morning to for some more reassurance (worried about every ache and pain) and to get the dressing changed as it had bled quite a lot. He checked all my lymph nodes and stuff and he says there's no red flags and he doesn't think I've got anything to worry about. He even checked to see if any results had come back for me yet but they hadn't x

Hi,

I'm glad it went ok and that your GP checked you out to give you some reassurance. The good thing is that you won't be waiting too long for your results, even though it will feel like forever. Be kind to yourself and please let us know how you get on at your appointment.

Angie x

Hi Angie,

I hope you're well. I've just been to get my results, managed to bring my appointment forward as I was making myself ill with worry!). It's melanoma in situ. Best outcome I could have hoped for (apart from it not being melanoma at all, but I knew that was highly unlikely). Feeling extremely lucky that something made me get it re-checked again. He gave me the option of a WLE which I'm having but peripheral margin is clear by 3mm and deep margin is clear by 5.5mm. 

Thank you for your messages, I've read them many times over the last couple of weeks to try and reign in my wild thoughts.

Gina x