Fear

youandi · New User Joined: 09 Jun 2009 Posts: 4

Hello everyone.
I am 25 years old and just went to my first skin checkup in my life. I went because I am a very fair skin type and have reddish hair and blue eyes. As a child and teen I had uncountable sunburns all over my body. When I think about it now I am very angry I didn't know better and was not careful enough to avoid it. But the risk of developing skin cancer was never taken really seriously in my family.
My father is treaded for the white pre-cancer stage sort of skin cancer. (Sorry for my stupid English! What is the right term here? Keratosis?)

To be honest I was worried about a mole between my toes and that is why I forced myself to the check up. I really am very scared of doctors and avoid going there. So I went and the check up was very thorough and I was quite surprised where the doctor looked for moles.
Wink

I thought she would only check the arms and legs or something.
Well, long story short: She found two moles that have to be removed next month. One is on my thigh and the other is sadly the one between my toes. I am so worried about the one on my foot.
It really is huge compared to the others (and I have lots), although (I think) regular and of one (brown) color.
About the one on the thigh my doctor was more relaxed. She said, that we should get rid of this one, because it was way too dark for my skin and compared to the other moles, but she said that we could to this in autemn. When she saw the one between my toes she literally paused a moment. She also said that this has to get out and probably is so big, that we have to think about a skin transplantation, because on the toes there is not enough to cover the wound.
I am so afraid! She said, we could do this in autemn too, but when I suggested to do this in July she really thought this to be a good idea.

I don't know why I am writing here, because you can't tell me if it is something to worry about either, but I just wanted to write it all down and to share my fears with anyone. I don't want to worry my family.
The mole must have developed in the last 5-8 years. I didn't have it as a child, I am sure.
Had anyone of you experiences with skin transplantations after the removal of a dysplatic naevi on the foot? How long does it take to heal? I am worried that the transplanted skin will not heal because wounds on the feed heal slower because of worse circulation...
And I am worried, that I wait to long with the removal. The check up was last month and I only got an appointment for the surgery for the end of july. What if it is something wrong? Can these 2 month make a difference?
Strange how cancer suddenly is so present in my life... Sad

Jean222 · Senior User Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 245

I'm glad that you're having the dysplastic nevus taken care of and waiting til July shouldn't be a problem.

Please remember that dysplastic nevus aren't cancer, they are atypical moles that put you at greater risk for melanoma if you don't have them removed or do a lot of sunbathing etc.

Many dysplastic nevus are benign, albeit not normal moles.

If you go for a check, yearly and have any suspicious ones removed, you should be fine.

Not sure about the mole between the toes, a tender spot for certain.

Yes, they check ALL of you for DNs! Shocked

You might want to consider telling your family, as they may need to have their skin checked as well. Moles tend to run in families....so do dysplastic nevus.

Best wishes,

Jean

youandi · New User Joined: 09 Jun 2009 Posts: 4

Thank you Jean, for your reply.
it is good to hear that 2 month of waiting wouldn't do a difference. And you are right, most of them are benign. I think I am just nervous, because I never had one taken out and reading the pre-surgery forms made me a bit jumpy.
Yes, I tell my family about the check ups. My older sister once went and had one DN removed a few years ago. But I think she is even more at risk than me by her sunburn history and skin type.
And I argued with my mother because she didn't went to her doctor when she had a itching mole on her back, that she one day scratched so that it blooded and fell of!? I had no idea this could even happen but this too doesn't sound "normal". I guess concerning the skin types of my area and family these yearly check ups really are a good idea. Rolling Eyes

But thanks again for putting up with my hysteria Wink

Now I am more at ease and tell myself not to expect the worst in July. It probably will be okay *knock on wood*

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