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Any bloggers familiar with skin cancer?

Posted by poisonapplesauce • 9/04/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: skin

So there is a wide range of topics and knowledgable people here, I was wondering if any of you blogged about or have any experience on normal moles vs. melenomas. I'm asking because in last August's swim suit pics I had one lil bity mole on my hip, this years photoshoot has a about 9 or so scattered everywhere from rib cage to back of the neck, and so on. They are all so small I though my Irish-ness was coming through and they were freckles but when the photographer blew them up to show me, some were shiny but perfectly symetrical, some were various colors, some were one shade but oddly shaped. And well, I hate the doctor so I want to do as much research as possible before sucking it up and going in. I think the photographer is probably over reacting, I don't tan or really even deal with the sun and I never have, plus I'm pretty young. So questions:
Is a freckle different than a melenoma?
How does a normal mole vary from irregular?

Pretty much anything ya'll got. W

User Comments

9/04/08

poisonapplesauce

And I did google a bit, but since I am biased I always go to the happy go lucky sites that show gigantic lesions

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1. 9/04/08
  
  blogonsmog
  
  If they are smaller than the head of a pencil eraser then probably not an issue. But it is best to go to a doctor for the peace of mind. If you don't it will always be haunting you. I've been there before. The internet is not a good place for self-diagnosis. It just turns you into a hypocondriac. I know. I've diagnosed myself with several fatal illnesses
2. 9/04/08
  
  poisonapplesauce
  
  Thanks I am still thinking funny looking freckles haha but just to be sure I will make an appointment. I hate it when other people bring up stuff you would never have noticed, I like the whole ignorance is bliss mode better
9/04/08

voodooKobra

I tend to wish cancer on all of my enemies. Other than that, no.

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9/04/08

gosmelltheflowers

OMG what a coincience...

I've 30 times more moles than most and had a major check up yesterday and wrote about it at flowers - lots of info - 3rd post down about moles...

www.gosmelltheflowers.com

Hope this helps!

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9/04/08

dogman2

I don't think that melanoma is anything to play with. My wife and one of my son's has had them and they do come back. If untreated the cancer could spred threw out your body... So think about it...I want to live...

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9/04/08

lulubelleb

Please see a doctor soon, if only to put your mind at ease.

You can get melanoma anywhere you have skin, even areas never exposed to the sun. A common spot is between the toes...and who actually tans there?

Melanoma is the most fatal form of skin cancer. It can be treated if caught early. The longer you wait, the more complex the treatment. The size of the mole visible on the skin is only part of the story. Melanomas can spread to the lower layers of the skin, even if the part you see is small. It can travel to the lymph nodes, and then to any part of the body, including the brain and lungs.

How do I know? I was diagnosed with Stage III-B melanoma in May 2007. I saw the doctor within a month of finding something odd. The mole I had was about the size of a pencil eraser, but it went deep. I had major surgery twice in June 2007, then started a 1-year chemo program in September. I won't bore you with the details, but I would not wish the past 16 months on my worst enemy.

For your sake and the sake of your family, please make an appointment today.

I wish you well..

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9/04/08

poisonapplesauce

@everyone, thanks for your advice and references, I have an appointment tomorrow to figure it all out. Your responses were much appreciated

[reply]
1. 9/05/08
  
  thefly
  
  Well, I certainly hope you dont have anything life threatening or anything bad for that matter. Hoping the best for you
  
  buzz buzz
9/05/08

PetLvr

You might be able to find some information on our "Battling Cancer" site or more importantly, try searching for some topics on this cancer.battlingforhealth.com/archives/ page's tag cloud.

It's good that you are seeing your doctor ASAP and not ignoring this.

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