Around 2-3 years ago I noticed some pigmentation on my labia. I was only 22 at the time and it didn’t hurt, itch or was raised so I just presumed it was nothing. I also came off the pill around this time and put it down to that.
I saw a private gynae August 2023 who diagnosed me with PCOS and endometriosis, she mentioned these patches of pigmentation looked like vulvar melanosis and as I’d had them for so long and they had no symptoms that they were likely nothing, but I could follow up with a dermatologist if I wanted.
I (maybe stupidly) took her word for it and carried on living life as normal. I’ve seen several gynae’s since and had a gynaecological surgery and nobody has mentioned them, which made me even less concerned.
Recently I’ve been having a really tight chest and dry cough, not related to a cold. I’m short of breath all the time and losing weight. Not fatigued which is unsurprising given I barely sleep from anxiety. I’ve also had constant lower back pain for the last year, which I put down to working a desk top.
I’ve been struggling with bad health anxiety recently. It’s completely debilitating. My GPs have done all sorts of blood tests which have come back fine and are not worried but I know how dismissive they can be to lots of people (especially women). I had a chest X ray in A&E a month ago which was clear but my uncle passed away from lung cancer and I know X rays can miss it.
I’m so scared this is melanoma which has been progressing for 2/3 years and I’m weeks/ months away from death.
I went back to the GPs yesterday because my anxiety is unbearable and have been put on the fast track referral with an appointment next week. It’s likely they’ll do a biopsy. However, given my declining health I’m scared it may be too late, especially given the aggressive nature of this type of cancer.
My boyfriend and mum keep saying I’m being ridiculous and all my symptoms are probably stress related but I just have such a bad gut feeling. I’m only recently 26 and I don’t want to lose my life over something that nobody ever told me was a potential issue. I feel like the GPs have completely failed me, if anyone would have mentioned melanoma to me at any point I would’ve prioritised getting checked out.
I’m so scared and every time I try to talk about it with my family they shut me down.
I really need support rn 
all I see everywhere is horrific statistics for stage 4 mucosal melanoma and it’s so hard to accept this might be the news I receive over Christmas.
Hi Pt17srdg and welcome to the community and this group.
I don’t have the same experience as you, but could feel your fear through your words so wanted to stop by and reply to you.
The main thing which comes through in your post is your anxiety which has fuelled your fear. Maybe you’ve been on doctor Google, the main source of fear mongering for people searching for answers when they feel they may have symptoms of something nasty? If so, it really won’t be helpful to you to read stories and survival statistics of a condition you’ve not been diagnosed with. I do know a couple of ladies in an online group I run who do have this type of melanoma, so my understanding of it is only in my interactions with them.
You haven’t mentioned having any symptoms other than a cough and tightness in your chest, and this may well be caused by your anxiety-our bodies can manifest all sorts of strange and distressing symptoms caused by the power of our minds. Since you noticed this pigmentation 2-3 years ago it might be expected that if it were something concerning, you would have been experiencing some symptoms by now.
You also mentioned that you have seen several gynaecologists and even had gynaecological surgery. If there is something concerning there, I’m sure it would have been mentioned to you and investigated.
However, I do thinks it’s right that you have a referral and will get checked out now. Melanoma of this type is rare, so it’s less likely to be an explanation for you, but it seems you have focused on this and allowed fear to overwhelm you. Have you told your doctor about your health anxiety and sought any support with this? If not, that might be a good idea for you.
I hope when you are seen, it will put your mind at rest- if any biopsy is needed it will be done and sent for analysis so you would still have to wait for results. If the specialist can explain the pigmentation without the need for a biopsy, I hope that would reassure you.
You are welcome to be in the group while you wait to find out more, and there will always be support for you here though I hope you don’t receive the diagnosis you are fearing. If you want to speak to a nurse, you can phone the support line which is in my signature.
Please come back and post anytime and let us know how you get on.
Sarah xx
Thankyou so much for your kind words. The dermatologist I saw wasn’t worried, however because I’ve lost a lot of weight recently unintentionally and had GI issues for months now I’m referred for an 
gent abdominal CT. They keep talking about pancan which somehow makes it even more scary. I’m only 26 Thankyou again xx
Hi again Pt17srdg
I’m glad you’ve had one worry cleared up but sorry you have something else to contend with now.
I see from your other post that you’ve also had a referral for suspected lymphoma which was clear, but it seems you have had a lot of health worries at a very young age. Are you getting any help and support with your health anxiety? I’d strongly recommend that you seek this out, as it’s very debilitating to live with anxiety.
Obviously you’ll need to wait for your CT scan to see if anything is found, but pancreatic cancer would be extremely rare in someone your age. You may not find it helpful for your anxiety to be reading posts from members who have already been diagnosed with this cancer, so I’d just urge some caution in trying to match your symptoms with others to diagnose yourself. I’m surprised that your doctor has even mentioned pancreatic cancer at this stage without a scan to be honest. You have said there is something going on in your abdomen, “possibly pancreas”, so nothing is certain for now, and it’s a big leap from some gi symptoms to pancreatic cancer.
I had some awful gi symptoms last year, but there was no cancer, despite the fact that I’ve already been through cancer twice. I was pretty ill, but once I’d had a scan and discovered the source of my issue this was treated and I’m fine now.
I hope there is nothing serious found and you can move on with your life but please get some help with your anxiety.
Sarah xx
