Melanoma

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Hi everyone. I was diagnosed on 16th December with a melanoma on my face. I’m awaiting a surgery date where they will also test for lymph nodes too. I’m 33 and have been told repeatedly that they believe my pregnancy may have triggered the cancer. My mum died in 2002 aged 44 from breast cancer, so this diagnosis was a huge blow, especially as it has now ruled out the prospect of trying for baby #2. I’m trying not to let my anxiety take over, but I’m finding the wait for a date is really getting me down.

latchbrook 1 day ago

Hi Lharrison and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

I’m Anne, one of the Community Champions here on the Online Community and I was diagnosed with melanoma 8 years ago so have a good idea how you're feeling. I have to admit that I've never heard that pregnancy can cause melanoma. Did your consultant tell you why they now believe this?

The online community is divided into different support groups so I'm going to recommend that you join us over in the melanoma, which is a great place to ask questions, share experiences and get support.

To join, just click on the link I've created and, once you've joined, you can start a new post in the same way as you did here and join in with existing conversations by clicking on 'reply'.

It would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and proposed treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"

Lharrison 1 day ago in reply to latchbrook

Hi Anne, lovely to hear from you!

so the two consultants I have spoken to at and since my diagnosis have both said I have a very rare type of Melanoma which had to be confirmed by a specialist at Guys and St Thomas. My biopsy was taken in September but it took until December to get a diagnosis as it went for a few opinions. They all currently believe it was likely triggered by high oestrogen levels in my pregnancy 2 years ago.

i was seen by 4 different dermatologists during my referral who all thought it was nothing to worry about, but who each referred me for a biopsy just to be safe.

its thankfully at present only a type 1b, so the plan is a full excision and lymph node dye testing with either a skin graft from my shoulder or hopefully stretching the skin depending on how the procedure goes.

latchbrook 1 day ago in reply to Lharrison

That's really interesting about melanoma being caused by high oestrogen levels Lharrison . You really do learn something new every day

"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"