I'm on the fence - little help?

Manda86
Manda86 Posts: 1,859 Member
in Chit-Chat
This is a little embarrassing, but I figured such a group of health conscious people might be able to give me some advice. I've noticed in the last couple of weeks that I have a couple of moles that seem to be changing shape/texture. They are more raised than normal and the skin has gone scaly (just on the mole... I know, I know, I'm HEEEEDEOUS!!). I don't know if the change is a result of swelling or actual growth.

At any rate, I am trying to decide whether or not to go to the derm. We have health insurance, but it's not great and money's a little tight right now (It'll cost at least $60 for the initial visit plus a percentage of any diagnostic procedures they'll have to do), but I certainly don't want to ignore anything potentially serious.

Could it be a result of the changing weather? It's gone from warm to conditions for snow relatively quickly.

Your thoughts?

Sincerely yours,

Moley Manda

Replies

  • km202
    km202 Posts: 112
    If they are growing away from the skin, don't worry about it. My dermatologist just says we need to watch for them growing bigger around. The rough and dryness could very well be weather related.
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    Hi Manda,
    I would highly recommend that you get these moles checked - anything that changes quickly need to be looked at.
    The earlier you pick up any problems, the more likely it can be dealt with before it turns into something serious.
    Here's some information from the Cancer Council that gives a useful guide as to when to get checked:
    http://www.cancerwa.asn.au/prevention/sunsmart/checking-for-skin-cancer/
    Good luck!
  • Growtinymusclesgrow
    Growtinymusclesgrow Posts: 152 Member
    If they start getting bigger (around, not tall) and change color get them looked at...
  • Birdie
    Birdie Posts: 256 Member
    Better safe than sorry. My sister had a little spot on her wrist and it was cancer. All they had to do was cut it off, but had she let it go, who knows. :flowerforyou:
  • RunIntheMud
    RunIntheMud Posts: 2,645 Member
    If they start getting bigger (around, not tall) and change color get them looked at...

    ^^^ THIS. Good luck!
  • Manda86
    Manda86 Posts: 1,859 Member
    If they start getting bigger (around, not tall) and change color get them looked at...

    ^^^ THIS. Good luck!

    Well, crapola.

    I've got one on my neck that I just scrutinized closely that looks asymmetrical now. It used to be perfectly round. Guess I better suck it up and call.
  • dg730
    dg730 Posts: 62
    Go to the doctors. May your co pay and when they bill you pay as little as you need. Those people make more then enough money.
  • MinMin97
    MinMin97 Posts: 2,674 Member
    I have just a couple of small moles, which get a little sensitive...kinda itchy sometimes...right before my period.
    Perhaps google to get some clues....
  • DakotaKeogh
    DakotaKeogh Posts: 693 Member
    I may be overly sensitive to this. But, in the past couple years my father has had to have seven skin procedures to remove cancer. Some of them large enough to require grafting. The result of a life in the sun before we knew it was the enemy. I would say, don't mess with it. You can always make more money. You can't make another you.
  • Tennessee2019
    Tennessee2019 Posts: 676 Member
    This is a little embarrassing, but I figured such a group of health conscious people might be able to give me some advice. I've noticed in the last couple of weeks that I have a couple of moles that seem to be changing shape/texture. They are more raised than normal and the skin has gone scaly (just on the mole... I know, I know, I'm HEEEEDEOUS!!). I don't know if the change is a result of swelling or actual growth.

    At any rate, I am trying to decide whether or not to go to the derm. We have health insurance, but it's not great and money's a little tight right now (It'll cost at least $60 for the initial visit plus a percentage of any diagnostic procedures they'll have to do), but I certainly don't want to ignore anything potentially serious.

    Could it be a result of the changing weather? It's gone from warm to conditions for snow relatively quickly.

    Get your self to a doctor. I don't mean to scare you, but what you have described is exactly (minus the changing weather) what mine were doing & it turned out to be cancer. I thought nothing of the changes that this one mole was making, until I went in for a check up & my doctor looked at it. That was 18 years ago & I have been cancer free ever since, but your health is not something to fool around with.
    If you have been going to the same doctor for awhile, maybe you can make payments towards the cost of getting this checked out? I'd rather have to pay on a bill than risk my health over not being able to afford a check-up.
  • GiddyupTim
    GiddyupTim Posts: 2,819 Member
    Go to the doctor. Melanomas need to be caught early. They can be aggressive.
    From your avatar, I am guessing you have a young daughter.
    The rule that dermatologists have come up with, regarding moles that should be checked out, is the ABCD rule.
    That stands for:
    Asymetrical -- one half of the mole looks different from the other half, in color or shape
    Border -- the mole has an irregular border with edges that are notched, uneven or blurred
    Color -- color is uneven, with maybe black, brown and even red in the mole
    Diameter -- a mole that is bigger than 6 millimeters in diameter.
    A mole with any of those features should be checked out.
    Be sure to tell the dermatologist's office why you are calling. Dermatologists tend to be busy and an appointment can sometimes take up to two months to get, depending on where you live.
  • LinaBo
    LinaBo Posts: 342 Member
    When in doubt, CHECK IT OUT. See a doctor. Don't realize too late that you're out of time, just because you'd like to save a bit of money now.
  • Manda86
    Manda86 Posts: 1,859 Member
    Will call tomorrow morning! Things are now in proper perspective. Thanks, y'all. :smile:
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    Yeah, that's nothing something you want to mess around with. Go to the derm! If it's not anything, you won't have to worry about it any more, if it is something, you'll have caught it before it had a chance to get worse.
  • GiddyupTim
    GiddyupTim Posts: 2,819 Member
    YES! Great. Call today!! Moles often do funny things, and are nothing to be worried about. But . . . that little daughter is just way to cute for you to take any chances.
  • Manda86
    Manda86 Posts: 1,859 Member
    YES! Great. Call today!! Moles often do funny things, and are nothing to be worried about. But . . . that little daughter is just way to cute for you to take any chances.

    Thank you! I'm pretty fond of her myself. :smile:

    I have an appointment for the Monday after Thanksgiving. That'll give me plenty of time to scratch together some extra cash for my co-pay and hopefully a bumper in case I have to have anything else done.

    Thanks for the kick in the butt, everyone.

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