I'm glad to hear that you are going to the dermatologist; that will definitely ease your mind! From your posting, it does not sound like you have many of the risk factors for skin cancer; this does not make you "immune" of course, but can help you feel more confident going to the doctor to just make sure.
It is a good sign that the mark has not really changed, "the most important warning sign for melanoma is ANY CHANGE in size, shape, or color of a mole or other skin growth."
The American Cancer Society's ABCD rule for changes in skin growth:
* A is for asymmetry. One half of the mole or skin growth doesn't match the other half. (you mentioned that your mark is mostly round; another good sign)
* B is for border irregularity. The edges are ragged, notched, or blurred.
* C is for color. The pigmentation is not uniform. Shades of tan, brown, and black are present. Dashes of red, white, and blue add to the mottled appearance. Changes in color distribution, especially the spread of color from the edge of a mole into the surrounding skin, also are an early sign of melanoma. (you mentioned your mark is mostly pink; sometimes unnoticeable...another possible good sign)
* D is for diameter. The mole or skin growth is larger than 6mm or about the size of a pencil eraser. Any growth of a mole should be of concern. (you mentioned your mark is a cm, so unsure about this one)
You can read more about melanoma here, and pictures are included on this site.
Let us know what your dermatologist says...good luck!
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I'm glad to hear that you are going to the dermatologist; that will definitely ease your mind! From your posting, it does not sound like you have many of the risk factors for skin cancer; this does not make you "immune" of course, but can help you feel more confident going to the doctor to just make sure.
It is a good sign that the mark has not really changed, "the most important warning sign for melanoma is ANY CHANGE in size, shape, or color of a mole or other skin growth."
The American Cancer Society's ABCD rule for changes in skin growth:
* A is for asymmetry. One half of the mole or skin growth doesn't match the other half. (you mentioned that your mark is mostly round; another good sign)
* B is for border irregularity. The edges are ragged, notched, or blurred.
* C is for color. The pigmentation is not uniform. Shades of tan, brown, and black are present. Dashes of red, white, and blue add to the mottled appearance. Changes in color distribution, especially the spread of color from the edge of a mole into the surrounding skin, also are an early sign of melanoma. (you mentioned your mark is mostly pink; sometimes unnoticeable...another possible good sign)
* D is for diameter. The mole or skin growth is larger than 6mm or about the size of a pencil eraser. Any growth of a mole should be of concern. (you mentioned your mark is a cm, so unsure about this one)
You can read more about melanoma here, and pictures are included on this site.
Let us know what your dermatologist says...good luck!
March 22, 2009 - 1:45pmThis Comment
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