Possible new spot
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Possible new spot

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Possible new spot

  • Post
    • October 17, 2014 at 1:53 pm
    pasadenagirl
    Participant

      Hi All:   I feel ridiculous running to my derm every time I "think"  I have a new spot.  I am currently stage 1b, had WLE and SNB on lower back.  The 3 pictures are of the small mole/freckle, location is on my back up higher then my original site.  I really don't recall it being there before but I'm just not sure.  I have had a derm checkup since my WLE and if this was there then it must have been fine.   I realize only a doctor can make an actual dx.   I would just like some opinions, I have the worst medical insurance and already have a 10K bill from the surgery for the WLE & SNB.   As always thanks for your input.  g

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    • Replies
        • October 17, 2014 at 3:29 pm
        arthurjedi007
        Participant

          I started stage 4 with lots of internal stuff so they don't do it for me. But I learned from one guy who was stage 1 something they can do a whole body picture thing. He said he has a gazzilion moles and freckles so there was no way he or a doctor could keep track. But with the whole body picture thing they can just have the computer compare to the last time to see if anything might be an issue. Of course his derm checks him over anyway but he thinks it helps. I think he has it done every 3 months but last I heard his derm was talking about making it every 6 months. He said it used to drive him crazy thinking he had a new one and if he should call his derm. Now he just does that picture thing and he still has no more occurances and is doing fine.

          Artie

          • October 17, 2014 at 3:29 pm
          arthurjedi007
          Participant

            I started stage 4 with lots of internal stuff so they don't do it for me. But I learned from one guy who was stage 1 something they can do a whole body picture thing. He said he has a gazzilion moles and freckles so there was no way he or a doctor could keep track. But with the whole body picture thing they can just have the computer compare to the last time to see if anything might be an issue. Of course his derm checks him over anyway but he thinks it helps. I think he has it done every 3 months but last I heard his derm was talking about making it every 6 months. He said it used to drive him crazy thinking he had a new one and if he should call his derm. Now he just does that picture thing and he still has no more occurances and is doing fine.

            Artie

            • October 17, 2014 at 3:29 pm
            arthurjedi007
            Participant

              I started stage 4 with lots of internal stuff so they don't do it for me. But I learned from one guy who was stage 1 something they can do a whole body picture thing. He said he has a gazzilion moles and freckles so there was no way he or a doctor could keep track. But with the whole body picture thing they can just have the computer compare to the last time to see if anything might be an issue. Of course his derm checks him over anyway but he thinks it helps. I think he has it done every 3 months but last I heard his derm was talking about making it every 6 months. He said it used to drive him crazy thinking he had a new one and if he should call his derm. Now he just does that picture thing and he still has no more occurances and is doing fine.

              Artie

              • October 17, 2014 at 4:22 pm
              JC
              Participant

                I do think people to continue to form new moles even into their 30s, 40s, etc….

                • October 17, 2014 at 4:22 pm
                JC
                Participant

                  I do think people to continue to form new moles even into their 30s, 40s, etc….

                  • October 17, 2014 at 4:22 pm
                  JC
                  Participant

                    I do think people to continue to form new moles even into their 30s, 40s, etc….

                    • October 17, 2014 at 10:09 pm
                    Janner
                    Participant

                      Take pictures NOW.  Then you'll know if it stays the same or changes.  A doc who does mole mapping for high risk folks once told me "new and consistent with your other moles is fine".  "New and different from your other moles should be biopsied".  New, by itself, is not necessarily a concern.

                      Get pictures.  You'd be surprised at how things you think are new and changed can just be imagination.  I've referred back to even very old pictures thinking something had changed, and low and behold, it was my imagination only.

                      • October 17, 2014 at 10:09 pm
                      Janner
                      Participant

                        Take pictures NOW.  Then you'll know if it stays the same or changes.  A doc who does mole mapping for high risk folks once told me "new and consistent with your other moles is fine".  "New and different from your other moles should be biopsied".  New, by itself, is not necessarily a concern.

                        Get pictures.  You'd be surprised at how things you think are new and changed can just be imagination.  I've referred back to even very old pictures thinking something had changed, and low and behold, it was my imagination only.

                        • October 17, 2014 at 10:09 pm
                        Janner
                        Participant

                          Take pictures NOW.  Then you'll know if it stays the same or changes.  A doc who does mole mapping for high risk folks once told me "new and consistent with your other moles is fine".  "New and different from your other moles should be biopsied".  New, by itself, is not necessarily a concern.

                          Get pictures.  You'd be surprised at how things you think are new and changed can just be imagination.  I've referred back to even very old pictures thinking something had changed, and low and behold, it was my imagination only.

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