Has anyone here had melanoma?

• 10-18-2009 7:59 PM

  audkal Joined on 03-18-2006 Posts 315 Points 0	Has anyone here had melanoma? Reply Contact My right areola has itched for the past couple years. Most recently I've noticed a flat spot on it with jagged edges (it's light brown) that I've never seen before. It's about 1/2 inch long and is asymmetrical. I'm only 20 years old, and I've never exposed this area to the sun! What do you think I should do? -Audrey-
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• 10-18-2009 8:10 PM

  In reply to audkal

  glenmar Joined on 09-10-2007 The Florida Panhandle Posts 13,489 Points 405	Re: Has anyone here had melanoma? Reply Contact See a doctor, immediately.  Itching could be a ton of things, but it's best to have it checked out, particularly with the funny changes. A house without fur is not a home. Glenda ,
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• 10-18-2009 11:54 PM

  In reply to glenmar

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,868 Points 3,330	Re: Has anyone here had melanoma? Reply Contact Doctor -- and don't put it off.
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• 10-19-2009 6:51 AM

  In reply to calliecritturs

  mrstjohnson Joined on 07-13-2006 Sterling Heights, MI Posts 3,686 Points 85

  Re: Has anyone here had melanoma? Reply Contact This is coming from a woman who by her mid thirties has about 30 moles removed - all of which were precancerous...go to the doctor immediately.  Seriously, I am not a run to the doctor type person but for moles I do not hesitate.  I go every year and they take pictures (everywhere!!!) to spot any changes.  I have a skin condition, I forget what they call it, but it is hereditary and I seriously have hundreds of moles on my back and chest.  Not freckles, moles.  I just had three removed a couple of months ago.  You need to get it checked out!!!  I don't want to scare you but I lost a friend in a matter of 6 months to melanoma at the age of 30.  Very very very scary stuff. Lisa - Charlie & Riley's Mommy A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself. -Josh Billings Thanks for the siggy Candace!!!

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• 10-19-2009 6:53 AM

  In reply to mrstjohnson

  mrstjohnson Joined on 07-13-2006 Sterling Heights, MI Posts 3,686 Points 85

  Re: Has anyone here had melanoma? Reply Contact P.S. exposure to the sun doesn't seem to matter sometimes (it doesn't help mind you), but I had a few removed from areas that have never even seen daylight, much less the sun...it just doesn't matter.  Sorry TMI. Lisa - Charlie & Riley's Mommy A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself. -Josh Billings Thanks for the siggy Candace!!!

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• 10-19-2009 8:15 AM

  In reply to audkal

  spiritdogs Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 11,726 Points 1,020

  Re: Has anyone here had melanoma? Reply Contact  Don't waste any time getting to a doc.  The worry alone isn't worth putting it off. Regional Director for Massachusetts, International Positive Dog Training Association Director, SeniorCare Pawsitive Connections Program AKC CGC Evaluator #3669 Therapy Dogs, Inc. Tester/Observer Sioux, CGC, TDInc. Maska, CGC, TDInc. Sequoyah, CGC Fergie, Retired Lap Dog, Age 20 1/2 Dancer, CGC, TDInc. (1989-2006) #1 Heart Dog In memory of Mike, please become an organ donor today. "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George "The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be." ~ Konrad Lorenz

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• 10-19-2009 1:00 PM

  In reply to spiritdogs

  Sunshinegirl Joined on 05-03-2007 Florida, USA Posts 1,540 Points 565	Re: Has anyone here had melanoma? Reply Contact Agreed - get to the Dr asap. Melanoma can be hereditary and it's nothing to mess around with. Even if you've had no sun exposure, if it runs in your family, you can get it. Have you asked family members if anyone in the family has had it?? Don't wait, better to know than not....... Sunshine Girl
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• 10-19-2009 6:08 PM

  In reply to Sunshinegirl

  the_gopher Joined on 08-02-2006 New Hampshire Posts 1,504 Points 60

  Re: Has anyone here had melanoma? Reply Contact  Definitely see the doctor immediately. I freaked out when I first found out I have tinea versicolor (its not a serious condition at all). When I first saw the spots, I thought cancer immediately. A trip to the doc ASAP helped alleviate that fear - plus if it had been something serious, knowing sooner rather than later can make a big difference. ~Sharon

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• 10-19-2009 10:09 PM

  In reply to Sunshinegirl

  audkal Joined on 03-18-2006 Posts 315 Points 0

  Re: Has anyone here had melanoma? Reply Contact Okay, got an appointment with the Dr. on Wednesday morning, we'll see what happens... Sunshinegirl: Agreed - get to the Dr asap. Melanoma can be hereditary and it's nothing to mess around with. Even if you've had no sun exposure, if it runs in your family, you can get it. Have you asked family members if anyone in the family has had it?? Don't wait, better to know than not....... From what I remember, neither of my parents nor any of my brothers have had anything removed, but I'm gonna re-ask. I do know though, that one of my aunts (on my mom's side), she's about 50 and has had a few cancerous spots removed in the last couple of years. -Audrey-

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• 10-20-2009 12:05 AM

  In reply to audkal

  Sunshinegirl Joined on 05-03-2007 Florida, USA Posts 1,540 Points 565	Re: Has anyone here had melanoma? Reply Contact Also ask about grandparents, etc..... If the Dr suspects it's skin cancer, ask about a "Punch Biopsy" where they only take a very small bit of the suspect area and biopsy it. Are you going to a dermatologist? It shouldn't be necessary for the entire area to be removed like they used to do in the "good old days." Keep us posted, k? Sunshine Girl
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• 10-20-2009 10:55 PM

  In reply to Sunshinegirl

  audkal Joined on 03-18-2006 Posts 315 Points 0

  Re: Has anyone here had melanoma? Reply Contact Sunshinegirl: Also ask about grandparents, etc..... If the Dr suspects it's skin cancer, ask about a "Punch Biopsy" where they only take a very small bit of the suspect area and biopsy it. Are you going to a dermatologist? It shouldn't be necessary for the entire area to be removed like they used to do in the "good old days." Keep us posted, k? Alright I was able to ask my mom today, apparently my aunt (previously mentioned) and my grandpa from my dad's side are the only known ones to have something cancerous removed. The punch biopsy sounds like a good idea and I will ask about it if I need it--I'm seeing one of my family physicians and she's in her 30's, so I assume maybe she's learned about the punch biopsy and all that because her training would be more recent, lol. I will definitely let you all know what happens. -Audrey-

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• 10-21-2009 12:07 AM

  In reply to audkal

  ottoluv Joined on 11-27-2006 So Cal Posts 3,003 Points 525

  Re: Has anyone here had melanoma? Reply Contact You should go see a doctor immediately and have a biopsy. It is an exceedingly uncommon place to have melanoma so I would not be worried about that, but there are some just as deadly things that present simmilarly on the breast (inflammatory breast cancer for example). Pagets disease of the nipple needs to be ruled out even though you are young. I saw five different patients this week in consultation for breast reconstruction who were all less then 33 years old. It's likely nothing, but in the miniscule chance it is something, time is of the essence. there is nothing magical about a punch biopsy. They are just easy for a nonsurgeon to do as they don't require any skill with a knife, bovie, or suture. A formal ellipse shaped biopsy looks much better aesthetically and is what most surgeons would do. 6 of one, 1/2 dozen the other. Here I am stuck in the middle with you I practice societal sanctioned assault

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• 10-21-2009 10:23 PM

  In reply to ottoluv

  audkal Joined on 03-18-2006 Posts 315 Points 0	Re: Has anyone here had melanoma? Reply Contact Okay I went to my appointment this morning. She said she didn't really know what it looked like so she did a punch biopsy and I should know the results in about a week. -Audrey-
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• 10-22-2009 11:39 AM

  In reply to audkal

  cakana Joined on 09-10-2007 Cathy in Northern CA Posts 9,449 Points 435	Re: Has anyone here had melanoma? Reply Contact Fingers crossed that the results come back showing nothing serious but good for you for following thru on getting it checked. ~ Cathy ~
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• 10-22-2009 12:24 PM

  In reply to cakana

  Sunshinegirl Joined on 05-03-2007 Florida, USA Posts 1,540 Points 565	Re: Has anyone here had melanoma? Reply Contact Sending good vibes your way!! Sunshine Girl
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