"This mole looks angry".
That's what the dermatologist said, as she talked me into having an innocent, little birth mark removed from my left cheek (no, not on my face, the other left cheek...).
I reluctantly agreed to the procedure, which, by the way, was no cake walk (translation: IT HURT!).
Several hours later, I can't help but wonder if this is all a hoax orchestrated for the mere financial benefit of doctors, or a bonified medical procedure designed to save lives.
Worldwide, it is estimated that about 132,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma and more than 40,000 die from the disease each year.
What makes melanoma so dangerous compared to other skin cancers is that it can spread to the blood stream and the lymph glands very rapidly while a mole is still small. Waiting a few months before calling the doctor can give melanoma a chance to invade a person's body. If detected at its earliest stage, melanoma can be removed and cured, but if the disease has spread to lymph nodes, the 5-year survival rate is 30 percent to 40 percent. If the disease has spread to organs, the 5-year survival rate is 12 percent, according to American Academy of Dermatology.
When examining your moles watch for:
A=Asymmetry (the left side of the lesion is unlike the right side)
B=Border Irregularity (the lesion has a scalloped or poorly defined border)
C=Color Variation (not all parts of the lesion are the same color;
within the lesion may be patches of tan, brown, black, pink, white or blue)
D=Diameter (while melanomas are usually greater than 6mm in diameter when diagnosed, they can be smaller. If you notice a mole different from others, or which changes, itches or bleeds even if it is smaller than 6mm, you should see a dermatologist)
It is worth noting that some melanomas do not conform to the A-B-C-D criteria, so any suspicious mole should be examined by a dermatologist.
Is the inconvenience and pain of a bruised fanny worth my life? NO way!
What do you think? Have you lost anyone to melanoma? Have you had any encounters with it? How many of you have had a mole biopsied? I would love to hear from you on this subject!
My doctor had it and survived, although he did not know if he was going to lose his foot in surgery. He is a plastic surgeon and that is what he does........My next door neighbor had it and passed. It was on her back and she did not even know it for a long time, then waited 10 more years before having it checked out.....While it is a mole, it may be deep, but can be successfully removed....... I had something on my arm that looked suspicious also, had it removed and they did a biopsy. it was called "blue nevis" ...... don't even know what it is.......I also had a tumor on my left cheek, and not the other one, it was my face! Maybe the doctors are trying to make money, but if it does not belong there, get rid of it! Now you are done with it. Relax, its gone!
I hope you are feeling better now. I didn't know that about melanoma so I'm glad I read your blog about this. I've learned something very important. Thank you.
Thank you, Ernie & Barb! I will relax next week when I get the results... It was a new mole that just appeared a year or two ago and it was asymmetrical. I should wear more sun protection and a less skimpy bathing suit...
Mirela, thanks for your post. There is another, more aggressive form of melanoma called nodular that does not conform to the ABCD - or so they tell me. Surgery is the only treatment. I am one month free of it. Good luck with your diagnosis.
Thank you Donna! I feel fine, just a bit bruised and frankly, a bit shocked. This was supposed to be a routine visit...
I know several people who lost loved ones to melanoma, so I'm a bit sentisized to it... A client's son died of it at the tender age of 28! Sad, very sad! He was a mountain of a young man and very healthy. If it could happen to him, it could happen to anyone...
Having a good dermatologist examine your skin periodically is imperative. Better safe than sorry...
I'm glad you read this blog too!
Mirela-
Your post reminds me that I must schedule an appointment with my dermatologist soon. I have a few molds that need to be examined.
I think it's important for people (even as young as 29...lol) to have a thorough skin check-up every couple of years.
Thanks for sharing!
-Chris
Steve: Wow! I had no idea! I just copied & pasted the info below:
The awareness of the dangers of skin cancer, particularly melanoma, has doubtless increased. Still, the most fatal form of melanoma is frequently left undiagnosed in the fledging stages.
Nodular melanoma is the most serious and life threatening form of skin cancer, constituting around 35% of all thick melanoma cases. In comparison, the most general form of melanoma, the superficial spreading melanoma, is regularly diagnosed in its infancy and characteristically is a thin melanoma.
The dissimilarity between thick and thin melanomas is quite straightforward. Thin melanomas have a tendency to spread out over the top of the skin surface. Thick melanomas, on the other hand, are more penetrating and grow deeper into the skin.
Commonly, nodular melanoma is already invasive upon first diagnosis. This form of cancer is normally seen on arms, legs and upper torso of an elderly person. The scalp may be affected at any age.
This malignancy is characterized by a bump-like feature, generally black, but at times blue, white, gray, brown, red, tan or skin tone.
Nodular melanoma is far less common than any of the other sub-types. It accounts for only 15% of all melanoma cases. Reports suggest that this disease commonly affects people after the age of fifty. Medically, nodular melanoma appears as a consistent blue-red, blue-black or amelanotic nodule.
Nearly 5% of nodular melanomas do not have pigment. They are called amelanotic melanoma. The most affected areas for nodular melanoma are the head, neck and upper torso. It is important to remember that a nodular melanoma usually starts in normal skin, and not in an already existing lesion. Nodular melanomas are also characterized by rapid growth.
..."5% of nodular melanomas do not have pigment"... Wow! How do you find it?
Congratulations! You beat it! That is remarkable! If you feel like sharing any info, I would love to hear. I'm still kind of freaked out about it all...
I've had 3 or 4 moles removed, including one from my right cheek (my face, not the more cushioned, hidden area). All those years of bronzing with nothing but baby oil will catch up with you. Luckily so far no melanoma but they have been pre-cancerous or the less deadly form of skin cancer. It's always good to get checked and if they recommend a biopsy, DO IT. Even a scar on your face adds character whereas the alternative just adds an obituary.
Glad you're OK Mirela.
Chris: You might want to do it tomorrow. It took me almost six months to get an appointment with a dermatologist as a "new patient". Apparently, after not being seen by my dermatologist in over 3 years (where did the time go?), I was no longer regarded as a patient, and had to re-establish myself as a "new patient".
Gene: Duly noted! The "Dermie" assured me that I will have only a little, tiny mark for a scar (I do like those skimpy bathing suits, so I was a bit concerned).
Hi Mirela,
This is great information, fortunatley I don't have anything suspicious. I hope you are comfortable and have a speedy recovery! :)
Suzanne: I did not have anything suspicious either... That's why I'm in shock! That's the point of having a regular dermatologist examine you thoroughly...
Mirela, feel free to call me or email me. I'd be happy to talk about any of your concerns - and you may be worried over nothing at this point. I've been having the pre-cancerous lessions frozen off for years but the melanoma I got was likely from a traumatic sunburn I got in middle school. Steve
Steve: Thank you! I might take you up on that.
M ~ My mum taught swimming lessons several years during her teens. Since she was 50 it has been a every three month full body scan. She has now had 15 skin cancers removed, but all very fast and in the early stages. A month ago they took two off me, where the nose meets the face (talk about pain and long needles) but we are not willing to risk it. Both were fine. It is a good wake up call. My mum is still here because of the every three month, non-too-pleasant body scans. Get Er Done!
Wow, very interesting. Surprised at to what can be learned on Activerain