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Paranoid about skin cancer

Mamacita
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I have an appointment on Wednesday to have a lesion removed from my forearm following a phone appt where my doctor looked at a photo. He said it was best to remove it as he couldn't tell from the picture.....since then I have become completely paranoid about every little mark/spot/mole on my face, arms and legs and comparing them to pictures of basal and squamous cell carcinomas and melanomas, which I know isn't helpful but I am so scared. I lost my sister in April aged 53 to cancer (not skin) and my mum was only 50 when she died from motor neurone disease, I'm 49 and petrified something is going to happen to me too.

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    I should probably add that I am more paranoid because I have spent a lot of time in the sun so know I am more at risk for skin cancer. I am making myself sick with worry, looking at my skin constantly at things that now look suspicious to me. Even more scared because I think some have been there for quite some time. I'm wondering if the doctor will be able to refer me to a dermatologist once I've seen him to check everything out.

  • Offline in reply to Mamacita

    Hello, 

    I hope you're ok. I just wanted to maybe help you feel a little better. I had a biopsy on a large freckle on my face last year (in the first lockdown). 
    First doc I saw (via video call) said straight away this was cancerous (without doing any tests) but could not book me in soon to have it removed. I paid privately to have it sorted as I was so worried and the consultant I saw said it was nothing to be worried about, and it wasn't. It was nothing!! 
    there are some amazing dermatologists out there who will be able to check out your miles etc and out your mind at rest. 
    take care x
     

  • Offline in reply to Sally82

    Thank you so much for your reply, I feel so guilty and selfish as I know people have much more serious cancers to deal with but I've frightened myself so much. I looked after my sister for the last 18 months of her life and before then my dad had dementia and I lost him 2 years ago and I know I probably neglected looking after myself. I'm scared for my two daughters, I know worrying doesn't help anyone but I can't help but think the worst! I really do appreciate you trying to reassure me x

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    Hi,

    I'm sorry you are going through this worry. Only a small number of GPs specialise in minor skin surgery to remove moles and lesions but they are not an expert when it comes to checking. Seeing as it's your GP, rather than a Dermatologist, dealing with the removal, I would definitely push for a referral to Dermatology for your other moles to be checked. If the biopsy comes back as malignant, he will have to refer you to Dermatology for a further surgical procedure anyway (a Wide Local Excision) so for your peace of mind push for the referral. 

    There is every chance your mole may be fine (75% of them are). Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Thank you AngieT, I am definitely going to ask for the referral as my GP surgery does have a dermatology department, I am trying to keep positive until the appointment although I'm finding it so hard not to examine every inch of my skin and convince myself it's something sinister. I will keep you informed of the outcome x

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