Never. I know I need to. I have a few moles and one is right on my shoulder and I wear a lot of sleeveless shirts in the summer. Plus my vitiligo puts me at a higher risk of skin cancer. So basically, I am dumb.
I am down to once a year. I used to have to go every 3-4 months after my melanoma diagnosis in 2008, then 2x a year for a while after that. Hearing that the mole that was removed was indeed malignant and that the cancer could very well be spreading throughout your body at that very moment is one of the scariest things ever. I'm very, very fortunate that it was caught early and nothing spread.
I never have. I've had 7 moles removed and biopsied in the course of my life, but didn't even know this was a thing until someone mentioned it on here last year. I also had a dermatologist tell me a few years ago, "We're not really concerned about old moles anymore. We just worry about new ones that pop up and are odd."
Yep. The mole on me that turned out to be the melanoma popped up on my body VERY randomly and suddenly, and didn't look anything like my others (it was very black, perfectly round, size of a pencil eraser, flat, and itchy).
I just see my GP at my annual. If things change or as necessary, I would be referred out. You guys really just go to the derm yearly? Huh.
ETA - not judging at all. It just isn't common here, and I had a similar history of sun exposure as a lot of you. It's just different to not see the GP. Sorry if that was weirdly worded.
I just see my GP at my annual. If things change or as necessary, I would be referred out. You guys really just go to the derm yearly? Huh.
ETA - not judging at all. It just isn't common here, and I had a similar history of sun exposure as a lot of you. It's just different to not see the GP. Sorry if that was weirdly worded.
Well, typically GP don't do a full skin check... they might refer you if they notice something but they don't look between your toes or on your scalp. I thought this was pretty normal everywhere?
But then again, I think you guys are all weird for going to an OB/GYN for a pap when a GP does it.
Uh...I see my GP for a pap. Meh. One stop? Yes please! lol
I just see my GP at my annual. If things change or as necessary, I would be referred out. You guys really just go to the derm yearly? Huh.
ETA - not judging at all. It just isn't common here, and I had a similar history of sun exposure as a lot of you. It's just different to not see the GP. Sorry if that was weirdly worded.
In Canada, I don't think it's super common to go to a specialist for a check unless you've had previous problems. I have found that generally, the GP does the check and then you get referred if there are any concerns. You can't really just make an appt. with the derm and walk in with out a referral.
Here it is almost impossible to get into the derm. We have one in a city of 100,00+ so it is often a very long wait.
Never. The last dermatologist I saw SUCKED. I had to ask for one and by the time of the appointment I realized just how bad he was. I should probably get that done. I'm porcelain.
I just see my GP at my annual. If things change or as necessary, I would be referred out. You guys really just go to the derm yearly? Huh.
ETA - not judging at all. It just isn't common here, and I had a similar history of sun exposure as a lot of you. It's just different to not see the GP. Sorry if that was weirdly worded.
Where are you that it's not common? I go once or twice a year, I am sooo fair with light eyes and hair, so higher risk. I have lots of moles, and have had several removed. No cancer, thankfully.
Post by fivechickens on May 24, 2015 11:11:09 GMT -5
I go every six months. About 18 months ago I had a basal cell carcinoma removed from under my eye. Luckily, they didn't have to remove too much and it healed nicely. Every visit I get super nervous about what they will find.
Lol, well that's a broad statement! Only high risk people need to go frequently.
It's only odd to me because any time I've needed to go to a derm, it takes approximately forever to get in for an appointment, so I just get checked at my GP yearly for changes.
I am all for taking care of yourself, and I am glad that so many people are getting checked now! It used to be that people brushed off skin cancer like it didn't exist. That's a mindset that I am glad is gone, or going that way at least. (I hope I'm not coming off argumentative. I am truly not meaning to!)
Post by sparrowsong on May 24, 2015 12:17:16 GMT -5
I had my first basal cell cancer at 18. I was really good about going to the dermatologist yearly after that for a long time. Three more basal cells have been caught since thing. I've been really lazy the last couple years though and am overdue for a check.
It's only odd to me because any time I've needed to go to a derm, it takes approximately forever to get in for an appointment, so I just get checked at my GP yearly for changes.
I am all for taking care of yourself, and I am glad that so many people are getting checked now! It used to be that people brushed off skin cancer like it didn't exist. That's a mindset that I am glad is gone, or going that way at least. (I hope I'm not coming off argumentative. I am truly not meaning to!)
You don't sound argumentative, just a bit ridiculous to say that it's not's common in all of Seattle. lol
LOL! I wasn't trying to claim Seattle doesn't do it! I need to work on conveying my thoughts into words. Like whoa. I am laughing at myself now.
Post by litebright on May 24, 2015 16:29:34 GMT -5
I'm overdue. I started going yearly about three years ago because Verona did a PSA about it. My first visit, I had a suspicious mole removed from my upper left arm. Turned out it was the very lowest level of pre-cancerous abnormal, and my derm had to go back in and remove a larger area around it just to be safe. I have a pretty badass Frankenstein-esque scar from that, but I had had that mole since I was a teen and always wondered about it, and every GP I ever saw was just like, "welllll, yeah, looks odd, but just keep an eye on it."
The derm was like, "nope, that's coming off!" And now it's taken care of and gone for good.
I've never been. Do you just call up a derm and ask for a check?
You want to make sure that you go to a dermatologist who provides medical services, not just cosmetic services. When I was looking for a dermatologist, I didn't realize that some practices only do cosmetic stuff and some do both medical and cosmetic work.
I tried to pick a practice that was primarily focused on medical services, because I didn't want to deal with a lot of upselling cosmetic stuff while I was there.
Post by peachykate on May 24, 2015 19:07:09 GMT -5
Every six months, I had my first basal cell spots in my early 20s. So far I've had 2 basals and 4 pre-cancerous/irregular spots that needed wide excisions. My dad had had 2 melanomas removed in the past six months and is not fair and blue eyed.
Also, skin cancer is not only a white person problem. I read an article last year that said African Americans are more likely to die from melanoma because they are less likely to get skin checks and find it when it's treatable. If you have something funky looking, get it checked out no matter what you think your risk is.
I also read recently that they think they are getting closer to a melanoma vaccine.