How do I get to the doctors? (Birthmark)?!
Question: How do I get to the doctors!? (Birthmark)!?
Hey all, I'm a 17 year old high school student in NZ!. I've had a birthmark on my chest since birth, and I've been reading about how they can develop into cancer later on!. It's weird, I can't see any other birthmarks like it on the internet, I've been researching for a while!. It's a patch, about 4x1cm, brown, lumpy, raised a millimeter or so, with lots of other small lumpy patches surrounding it!. Right above my heart!. Doing something about it has been at the back of my mind for the last 10 years, so I'm finally getting my stuff together, and sort it out!. Kind of lame having a huge farmers tan, and refusing to take my shirt of at the beach etc!.
My parents know I have it, it's been the same since as early as I can remember (probably birth), and my parents have obviously seen it often!. So I guess it's not dangerous, as doctors would have had it looked at when I was a toddler or whatever!. At least I hope my parents weren't that slack! We've never talked about it, I guess there's no danger, but I'm getting it sorted anyway!.
But I just realized, I have no clue how to get to a doctor!. I don't have a family GP, I haven't been to the doctor since I've been to this country (I've been here since 2001!. Yes I could do with a checkup while I'm there :P), and I don't want to talk to my parents about it!. I'm living with my brother and sister, my Dad supports us from overseas!.
So what do I do!? I'm willing to pay out my own wallet!. Will a doctor still give me privacy from my parents, and I can just get my stuff sorted!? If that's the case, what do I do!? Who do I ring!? Do I just look up a GP in the phone book, and explain to them my situation!? Do I go to a skin specialist place, or what!?
Huge thanks for any help!
Www@Answer-Health@Com
My parents know I have it, it's been the same since as early as I can remember (probably birth), and my parents have obviously seen it often!. So I guess it's not dangerous, as doctors would have had it looked at when I was a toddler or whatever!. At least I hope my parents weren't that slack! We've never talked about it, I guess there's no danger, but I'm getting it sorted anyway!.
But I just realized, I have no clue how to get to a doctor!. I don't have a family GP, I haven't been to the doctor since I've been to this country (I've been here since 2001!. Yes I could do with a checkup while I'm there :P), and I don't want to talk to my parents about it!. I'm living with my brother and sister, my Dad supports us from overseas!.
So what do I do!? I'm willing to pay out my own wallet!. Will a doctor still give me privacy from my parents, and I can just get my stuff sorted!? If that's the case, what do I do!? Who do I ring!? Do I just look up a GP in the phone book, and explain to them my situation!? Do I go to a skin specialist place, or what!?
Huge thanks for any help!
Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Register with a GP and then talk to the doc!. If your doctor thinks its suspicious then it can be removed for free on the NHS!. I went to have mines done privately for cosmetic reasons, and while its a bit pricey its worth it!. I had mines done at SurgiCare (link below)!. The consultation is free but the bigger the mole, the higher the price!. But you can also get it done cheaper elsewhere!. I just didn't want to take the risk because it was on my face!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Honey, it's not that serious!. The odds of it turning into cancer are like one million to one!. Just forget about it! ;)Www@Answer-Health@Com
There is a small risk of it becoming cancerous but it would be highly uncommon!. Also at 17, you would have to have a guardian with you before any reputable health professional would treat you!.
I don't understand why you can't talk to your parents or siblings!. but if you can't then you will have to wait until you are 18!. Sorry!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I don't understand why you can't talk to your parents or siblings!. but if you can't then you will have to wait until you are 18!. Sorry!.Www@Answer-Health@Com