Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome Risk (also a question about FAMMM)

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Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome Risk (also a question about FAMMM)

This topic has 4 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 3 months ago by Imajig.

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- March 28, 2017 at 1:07 am
- Quote
fem
Participant
Hello,

I'm starting this by saying I know that my fears are anxiety-led and am seeing a therapist. These fears are driven by my Mom passing in Dec. 2016 from breast cancer.

I have a lot of moles, 200+. I have had 7-8 biopsies over the years, and two in January came back mildly atypical. I know that is not a concern in itself, but I am now spiraling on DNS and FAMMM statistics. My dermatolgist said that 'based on the way my moles look' I am at a high risk for melanoma. Most are not big, probably 15-20 are 3-5mm with the rest small. I also noticed a lot of new ones after being pregnant (second daughter born Sept 2016). Dermatologist didn't use the words DNS but she was getting my biopsy resutls from a different doctor who I wasn't a fan of and then we were going to make a treatment plan. I'm guessing I have the syndrome.

Also my uncle has had 2 primaries but nobody else in my family that I know of. Some websites include this in the FAMMM definition.

I'm just trying to figure out if my risk is say 30-50% (which my anxious mind could handle), or closer to the 100% reported for the FAMMM groups. I know nobody can really give me an exact answer, and I will obviously talk to my derm more.

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- - March 28, 2017 at 1:24 am
  - Quote
  fem
  Participant
  I mean monitering plan, not treatment plan.
- - March 28, 2017 at 7:16 am
  - Quote
  Bobman
  Participant
  I have DNS , and while that does increase the likelihood of a future melanoma , I wouldn't fixate too much on that, or whatever percentage the statistics may reflect . None of us are statistics . What I have learned, is that monitoring your moles for change is the best way to catch things early . Take pictures of your moles. Watch them for change,and compare what they looked like before . Get regularly checked by a good dermatologist , and biopsy whatever is changing . Tell your dermatologist about any changes they may have missed. You can alleviate quite a bit of anxiety by being super pro-active , as opposed to reading statistics .
  
  This has helped me a lot at keeping anxiety at bay. If I see changes…it goes bye,bye.
  
  Best wishes ,
  
  Bob
  - March 28, 2017 at 2:24 pm
    
    Quote
    fem
    Participant
    
    Thank you for your response Bob. I’m hoping being proactive will eventfully allievate the anxiety. Just have to get myself to step away from Google.
  - February 27, 2018 at 10:04 am
    
    Quote
    Imajig
    Participant
    
    Hi there, I also have this condition. I’m 29 and male
    
    i would love to chat with you about this, can you please email me at- [email protected]
    
    thanks

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Tagged: cutaneous melanoma

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