Do I have skin cancer?!
Question:
Do I have skin cancer?
I am a teenager with extremely fair skin, blonde hair, blue eyes. I have always have had a problem with freckles and moles, but lately my skin has been seeming to be even more sensitive than usual. I'll go to the beach for the day (with suncreen, hat, ect.) and wind up finding several new moles throughout the next few days. I have been nagging my mother to take me to the doctor, but it is obviously no concern to her.
I have this dark black mole on my leg, and recently by chance I scratched it. Well, hardly even that. I just kind of touched it with my fingernail. Now it's peeling off! Am I just freaking myself out, or is this serious?
Answers:
Your mother should definitely take you to the dermatologist to have your moles checked. There are some guidelines that dermatologists go by when checking your moles.
Initial Diagnosis and Management
Consider RISK FACTORS - Family and/or personal history of melanoma (skin cancer), light complexion, tendency to freckle and/or burn easily, >50 acquired nevi (moles) and clinically atypical pigmented lesions (moles).
Clinical HISTORY - Change in size, shape or height of pigmented lesion (mole) especially if acute. Change in color of lesion (mole): lightening, darkening, redness, shades of blue, gray or black. Symptoms of itching, crusting, bleeding, erosion and ulceration.
Physical EXAM - Examine all pigmented or questionable lesions (moles) using ABCDE criteria: (A) Asymmetry (B) Border irregularity - notching, protrusions (C) Color variegation-generally gray to blue-black, but may have white, shades of red and brown (D) Diameter - most melanomas (skin cancers) are greater than 6 mm in diameter at time of diagnosis but this is not exclusionary (E) Elevation - many melanomas (skin cancers) have no elevation, may not be palpable, but a rapid change in elevation in an otherwise static lesion is suspicious. Remember to examine overlooked areas such as the scalp, palms and soles, nail folds, nail beds, conjunctiva and oral cavity for suspicious lesions.
Don't freak yourself out because they could be just benign growths (non cancerous). You definitely should go to the doctor to have them checked out because its better to be safe than sorry. Most insurances will cover at least 1 complete skin exam per year..you would just be responsible for the copay or deductible.