Melanoma possibly returned

In my own similar case I was able to kickstart action by going to the GP whose concern pushed me ahead of the waiting list. Just a thought and wishing you well.

Surely stage 1b melanoma means 5 years of checks.  I may be wrong but that is my feeling.  In which case counting from 2019, you are still just within the 5 years.  Can't you go directly back to the department who saw you and explain the situation?  People speak about their lovely skin cancer nurse, I didn't have one like that, but if you did speak to that person.  If it has returned then you need to be seen.  Wishing you all the best. 

I haven't had a recurrence of melanoma Cmfq but whenever I've found something that's concerned me I've rung my SCNS (skin cancer nurse specialist) and she's got me an appointment with my dermatologist within the week.

The dermatologist also reminds me at my appointments that if I'm ever concerned not to go to my GP as I can effectively jump the queue by contacting the SCNS direct.

x

Hi Cmfq

A year or so after my WLE, I had a freckle/ mole appear directly over the site of my melanoma lesion.  I was examined within a week or two and it was removed within another fortnight.

If I were you I would contact your cancer nurse, or call your GP who will arrange for this to be thoroughly checked.

Take care

J

Hi J,

Did you have the mole removed because it was suspicious looking or purely because of where it was and your history? 

I saw a dermatologist today and he was confident in the mole’s appearance and said there was low probability it was anything to worry about, however based on where it is I’m in two minds about whether to request it to be removed regardless.

Best regards,

Cmfq

Hi Cmfq.

The mole in question was more of a freckle really. My skin check doctor saw it on an appointment and simply said that though it didn't look like a problem, they like to err on the side of caution and would recommend removal.  They photographed it that day and had me back on the table within a few weeks and removed it.

It was a simple and quick biopsy, which tests showed wasn't cancerous. I'm glad it was removed, as it ended any doubts or worries,

Best,

J

Hello Cmfq, my local health centre said don't worry to me for a year!  Of course it was a stage 3c melanoma, I did tell them! 

Get it removed just for peace of mind. It's a quick operation to have it removed and tested.  X

Thanks for this. Did it look suspicious to you or was it just the location that concerned you?

Many thanks 

It was on my right upper arm and it was growing very fast, it was round and raised and almost black. Wasn't until it started bleeding that they took me seriously!  By that time it was already stage 3c

Hi Cmfq.  I had a 1a mole removed from my back in 2018. I found a lump under my left arm in sept last year and got told by both Docs and macmillan nurse not to worry its probably an infection. After me pushing my doctors for test, 2 months later a biopsy confirmed I had stage 3 melanoma weeks later this was confirmed as stage 4. If you are concerned push for test and scans as much as you can. If you can afford a private scan get it done. I wonder if I had done more earlier I may have been able to stop it getting to stage 4D. 

Good luck and I hope you get it sorted.  

Greg