Paranoid about skin cancer

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.

Parents
  • 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.

  • 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
     

  • 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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  • 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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