Double post

Melanoma?????

Holy crap!!! Get some medical advice NOW, and get it removed ASAP.... dont mess with it... get it seen, and removed.... it isn't really classed as melanoma, until biopsied....

pms, get it taken care of quickly, don't mess around. I wish you the best of luck!

Dear pms64:

Some facts-it is the MOST curable and survivable cancer. If you catch it immediately there is a great liklihood that once it is removed tht will be the end-period! Limit yourself to about 4 hours of sun and use an SPF of at least 30 or higher (sun block)

Winx - follow-through on your checkups if you were told to. I had a basal cell cancer (the most innocent type) cut off the side of my nose and they kept me on the Tumor Registry for four years I think and I had to go in for yearly checks for 4 years but anytime I see anything that looks unusual I go in and get it checked. One run in, even with the most innocent type, was enough for me. They told me the basal cell was caused by sun damage from my childhood. I was in my early 40s when it grew and was removed.

Don't ever ignore any mole or growth that doesn't look right, it is always worth asking a doctor about. I know I do.

Thanks Marie,

I don't see anything strange. But...that incision was on my back. The Dr. did say to get a body scan and I never did. I don't know why. That was over two years ago.

I don't know what the Tumor Registry is about.

My Uncle has had cancer cut from his nose two times. And he still spends time out in the sun with no sunscreen. I don't get it.

While I was waiting for the results from the second biopsy for melanoma, I had my eye check-up and happened to mention it.
They looked for melanoma in my eye. I was shocked. It was kind of scarey to learn of that.

The Tumor Registry is just something the doctors office keeps as a list of all their patients with cancer and they use it to track their patients and send reminders of your next checkup, etc., don't know if they do anything more with it, they actually probably do use it for national statistics too, never thought of that before.

You have to be careful with a relative with melanoma. I had a friend whose mother died of melanoma and she had to start going in every 6 months for skin checks and even had to have her daughter have checks. I didn't realize it was something that was an inherited tendency until then, but so many cancers are, so always err on the side of caution when it comes to cancer.

Uh-oh. I have more than one relative that has had it. They are my Uncles and Aunts on my Dad's side. I am getting the BIG
hint about calling for my appointment.

Please do, I am sure you have nothing to worry about, but always be safe. If they ever were to find something, catching it early is the key. Take care.