Moles and melanoma

Hi everyone, 

I'm 18 years old and for about 7/8 months I've been using sunbeds on and off to help with my very bad eczema, I must of been on the sunbed about 20/30 times and I'm not really tanned but I have abit of colour to me, I'm very fair skinned but I don't burn on the sunbed, 

recently I have noticed that my once flat, brown, round, small mole has become still small, but pink and kind of got a lighter pink bit of colour shadowing one side of it, it's also brown too, it first started going pink and now it's brown, I have booked a doctors appointment but I'm worried sick with anxiety that it's cancerous, this anxiety isn't worth me going on the sunbed ever again and I'm so worried, 

I was just wondering can moles change from the sunbed but not be cancerous, I would say it has changed over the last few months but I can't really put a specific time on it. 

it doesn't look like any of the cancerous moles what come up on google but it fits all the changes what are changes to notice in cancerous moles and I'm really scared 

  • Hi,

    Sunbed use raises your chance of getting melanoma so it's best not to do it anymore, even if this mole turns out to be fine.

    I used to use sunbeds, sporadically, throughout my 20's and 30's. Sadly, I got melanoma on my shin when in my 30's. I had also sunbathed in all that time so I don't think my melanoma can be put down to one or the other activity but to a combination of the two.

    It could be that your mole is fine or melanoma or it could be dysplastic (pre-cancerous). So it's good you are getting it checked out with your GP.

    You are young, so there is more chance it will be OK or 'on the turn'. Whatever happens, don't use sunbeds for your eczema. Ask your GP or the dermatologist (if your GP refers you for the mole to be checked) about phototherapy which is a safer treatment & carries much less chance of getting skin cancer.

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

    Angie (melanoma patient)

  • After from what I've read,I would stay away from sunbeds. It's just not worth the risk In my opinion. Mysister got some special cream from the doctor which helped her Escma. 

    Hope the doctor's appointment goes ok. Best to get it checked. 

    I'm currently anxious waiting for Biospy results. So I know what goggling does.