I've been referred to the hospital as my doctor suspects that I have a melanoma behind my ear.

Talk to me. Tell me what you know but PLEASE don't freak me out

I've had skin cancer, but not melanoma.

I'm sure the thing that concerns your doctor is that the mole is in an unusual spot. Is it something you noticed recently?

I wouldn't get too overwrought about it. There's nothing you can do except get it biopsied and see what they say.

Genesia said:

I've had skin cancer, but not melanoma.

I'm sure the thing that concerns your doctor is that the mole is in an unusual spot. Is it something you noticed recently?

I wouldn't get too overwrought about it. There's nothing you can do except get it biopsied and see what they say.

Well it's behind my ear and I have long hair and wear glasses, so nobody has ever noticed it before. But it's quite dark with a centre that's normal coloured, which is what is worrying my doc.

If you don't mind me asking, how did you get diagnosed with skin cancer?

MrsGoodnight said:

Genesia said:

I've had skin cancer, but not melanoma.

I'm sure the thing that concerns your doctor is that the mole is in an unusual spot. Is it something you noticed recently?

I wouldn't get too overwrought about it. There's nothing you can do except get it biopsied and see what they say.

Well it's behind my ear and I have long hair and wear glasses, so nobody has ever noticed it before. But it's quite dark with a centre that's normal coloured, which is what is worrying my doc.

If you don't mind me asking, how did you get diagnosed with skin cancer?

I had a spot on my shoulder that looked like a broken capillary (in fact, at an earlier skin check, the doctor said that's what it was, so I didn't get it dealt with right away ). I never felt right about it and just kept watching it. It started to look like the skin there was changing - just not looking smooth anymore.

And then, one day, the "broken capillary" got sort of crusty - and I decided I'd better have it looked at again. The dermatologist got me in right away, took a quick look and said, "Yup - that's a basal cell carcinoma." He numbed me up on the spot and had at it with a scalpel. The whole thing took about an hour.

And now I have a quarter-sized scar on my left shoulder. But no more cancer - for now, anyway. Once you've had one basal cell, you're most likely going to have more.

Genesia said:

MrsGoodnight said:

Genesia said:

I had a spot on my shoulder that looked like a broken capillary (in fact, at an earlier skin check, the doctor said that's what it was, so I didn't get it dealt with right away ). I never felt right about it and just kept watching it. It started to look like the skin there was changing - just not looking smooth anymore.

And then, one day, the "broken capillary" got sort of crusty - and I decided I'd better have it looked at again. The dermatologist got me in right away, took a quick look and said, "Yup - that's a basal cell carcinoma." He numbed me up on the spot and had at it with a scalpel. The whole thing took about an hour.

And now I have a quarter-sized scar on my left shoulder. But no more cancer - for now, anyway. Once you've had one basal cell, you're most likely going to have more.

Oh my goodness, that must have been a really scary experience for you I'm glad it was dealt with quickly. . I'm assuming that you didn't have to do any chemo? That's what I'm scared of... [Edited 7/17/10 1:46am]

Oh, no - no chemo. Basal cell is the mildest form of skin cancer and is usually non-invasive. (It has to be really advanced for you to need anything more than excision.)

I hope everything goes well for you.

I have a spot that looks a bit suspicious to me. Because of this thread I am gonna get it checked just in case.

All the best to you .

[Edited 7/17/10 6:34am]

I really don't know a huge amount about a melanoma...

My mum had a cancerous patch removed from her cheek a few years ago - but exactly what type/how dangerous it was, I have no idea.....It was a darkish mole with a lighter colour around the edges.

They took a biopsy, confirmed it was cancer and then took her in to cut it out. All is fine now.

How long do you have to wait for your referral?

I have had skin cancer twice. And will probably get it again. I am a red-head with very light skin and freckles. My mom would take me to the beach and let me burn so badly that I had to sleep naked covered in Noxema and couldn't turn over when I slept. My skin would peel off of my shoulders, nose, and back.

What I thought was a tiny white pimple appeared right above my top lip. I squeezed it and put some ointment on it and went about my business. As I was planning a move of about 1200 miles I was more concerned with that than any pimples. But I did notice it didn't go away. So I put some alcohol on it and continued packing. I knew nothing at all about skin cancer.

After my move to Chicago I grew more concerned. But I was so terribly busy with two babies, and unpacking boxes and furniture, I put off going to the doctor again. After unpacking and getting my apartment arranged, I decided to go to a dermatologist. As soon as she looked at it, she told me it was skin cancer. They did a biopsy and told me to wait two weeks for the results.

I was in a panic. I had no experience and no knowledge of the different types and I cried all the way home. Those two weeks were the longest weeks of my life. I had no computer then so I went to the Harold Washington Library downtown and got access to medical books with photos, etc. Well, that only made it worse. I was certain I was about to die. But after reading I did feel better.

Two weeks passed and I was told I had basal cell carcinoma. BUT---and here is the part I want to STRESS to EVERYONE—DO NOT WAIT!!!!! Even though the "outside" pimple was small, it had spread under the skin on my top lip. I was immediately referred to Loyola Cancer Center in Maywood, Il. They ended up having to remove about a quarter-sized section under my nose and including some of my top lip. I had to have extensive plastic surgery and now look pretty normal. Although I will never have feeling in my top lip. All the nerves were damaged. I was out of work for over a month and could not eat at all.

The second type I had was squamous cell on my chest. That was nothing compared to the first one since I didn’t wait and had it removed immediately. But Genesia is correct. Once you have it, you will probably get it again. Now I am checked once every few months for any unusual moles or spots.

I don’t mean to freak anyone out. My purpose is to let you know not to wait. NEVER wait. Not saying you should be all paranoid, but if you see something on your body that doesn’t look like a regular mole, have it checked ASAP.

noimageatall said:

I have had skin cancer twice. And will probably get it again. I am a red-head with very light skin and freckles. My mom would take me to the beach and let me burn so badly that I had to sleep naked covered in Noxema and couldn't turn over when I slept. My skin would peel off of my shoulders, nose, and back.

What I thought was a tiny white pimple appeared right above my top lip. I squeezed it and put some ointment on it and went about my business. As I was planning a move of about 1200 miles I was more concerned with that than any pimples. But I did notice it didn't go away. So I put some alcohol on it and continued packing. I knew nothing at all about skin cancer.

After my move to Chicago I grew more concerned. But I was so terribly busy with two babies, and unpacking boxes and furniture, I put off going to the doctor again. After unpacking and getting my apartment arranged, I decided to go to a dermatologist. As soon as she looked at it, she told me it was skin cancer. They did a biopsy and told me to wait two weeks for the results.

I was in a panic. I had no experience and no knowledge of the different types and I cried all the way home. Those two weeks were the longest weeks of my life. I had no computer then so I went to the Harold Washington Library downtown and got access to medical books with photos, etc. Well, that only made it worse. I was certain I was about to die. But after reading I did feel better.

Two weeks passed and I was told I had basal cell carcinoma. BUT---and here is the part I want to STRESS to EVERYONE—DO NOT WAIT!!!!! Even though the "outside" pimple was small, it had spread under the skin on my top lip. I was immediately referred to Loyola Cancer Center in Maywood, Il. They ended up having to remove about a quarter-sized section under my nose and including some of my top lip. I had to have extensive plastic surgery and now look pretty normal. Although I will never have feeling in my top lip. All the nerves were damaged. I was out of work for over a month and could not eat at all.

The second type I had was squamous cell on my chest. That was nothing compared to the first one since I didn’t wait and had it removed immediately. But Genesia is correct. Once you have it, you will probably get it again. Now I am checked once every few months for any unusual moles or spots.

I don’t mean to freak anyone out. My purpose is to let you know not to wait. NEVER wait. Not saying you should be all paranoid, but if you see something on your body that doesn’t look like a regular mole, have it checked ASAP.

Thanks for sharing your story and the advice

And at your parents, I know when we were little people didn't know the dangers of the sun as much a we do today, but still that is no excuse at all for that .

My mom has skin cancer, but a not so dangerous kind.