Hi, just wanted you to know you are not alone, the only advice I can give you is to definitely ring the doctors, but I know it doesn't stop you worrying. I am going Wednesday to have a lesion removed following a phone consultation where I sent a picture and the doctor said he couldn't tell what it was from a picture so best to remove it......since then I am constantly checking my skin and have found several moles/marks I am convinced look suspicious so am going to ask him to check at the same time. But I am like you, such a worrier and making myself feel ill with it all, I lost my sister in April to cancer (not skin) and my dad a couple of years ago. Good Luck on Monday, I will keep my fingers crossed for you x

Thanks so much for replying. It's awful just waiting and worrying isn't it. Sorry to hear you lost your sister and dad! Hope it all goes well on Wednesday x

Hi Kirsty707,

New moles can appear at any time but are only usually more suspect if they appear after the age of 40. It's right that you contact your GP, hopefully it's crusty because you've caught it without realising but it still needs checking out by an expert. Your GP will probably ask for photos sent by email so they can decide if it needs looking at by a dermatologist.

I know that losing loved ones to cancer enhances the fear of getting cancer yourself but please know that prostate cancer is not linked to skin cancer. Also know that your gran may have had a basal cell carcinoma which is a common skin cancer in the elderly and is easily treatable & doesn't spread. Only 15% of melanoma cases are genetic (the rest being from UV damage) so unless you have had a close family member that has had melanoma, it doesn't put you at any greater risk of your mole being cancerous. Also taking into account that 75% of patients referred to Dermatology get a clean bill of health, the odds are in your favour for a good outcome. 

Good luck with your GP appointment and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (melanoma patient)

Thank you so much for replying and being so reassuring. I like to know facts and statistics so this is really useful. I'm only 34 so hopefully it's all ok. I'm currently 33 weeks pregnant too so hormones are all over and it's making me even more stressed than usual. I see you put you are a melanoma patient, I hope your treatment is going well? X

Hormones during & after pregnancy can also cause changes in a mole or a new one appear. My niece had changes in moles when pregnant with her two boys. She is already under a dermatologist as she has dysplastic moles. They monitored them & they have been fine. Hopefully yours may be the same.

Thank you for your question. Yes, I've been a melanoma patient for many years, on & off. Stage 1 in 1996 and then I've been Stage 3 for the last 12 years. Fortunately I'm NED (No Evidence of Disease which is the melanoma equivalent to remission). xx

Went to the doctors this morning and she said straight away it's nothing to worry about and to just keep an eye on it thankfully. Gosh you've been through a lot haven't you. Glad to hear that you are in remission from it though that's brilliant. Hope you stay well and thank you for the replies and reassurance. 

I'm so glad that the GP has checked it & has given you peace of mind. 

Can I suggest, just in case it becomes a worry again. that once a month you take a photo of the mole, with a ruler placed next to it to show it's size (obviously someone will have to do it for you, the mole being on your back). This is a great way to monitor it as you will notice any changes in size, shape or colour by comparing the photos. You won't drive yourself mad then, wondering if it's changed from last time you checked!

Good luck with everything and you can now enjoy your pregnancy. Thank you for your kind words - take care,

Angie