Dermatologist told me my mole is an early skin cancer, but not dangerous???

**SecretlySad** · 10-18-2011 11:00 PM

I am 29 years old and last week I went to see a dermatologist about a raised, dark mole on my left shoulder. She said she didn’t think it was anything but that I should have it removed just in case.

She “shaved” it off and kept the sample. I need to keep a bandage on it for 2 weeks. She called me today with results and said that it is an early skin cancer but she thinks that removing it fixed the problem. She wants me to come back in a month to see if it needs any further treatment.

I am scared and confused. I don’t quite understand how the c word and “nothing to worry about” in the same sentence makes sense. I called her office back and someone looked at my file and assured me if it was anything serious she’d have asked me to come back in right away.

Has anyone else experienced this diagnosis? Can it be NOT dangerous?

**rosekitten** · 10-18-2011 11:46 PM

Try not to stress too much.

My mom had something similar, but it was officially cancerous. It was scooped out and she's had no trouble with it since.

Some cancers really are that simple, when caught early enough.

**CHANDLERS WISH** · 10-19-2011 03:14 AM

Rosekitten is correct

My Mother and my Brother have experienced this, my turn next I guess and both are fine, it's great that they caught it at its early stage, the news you received was good news.

They will keep an eye on it in one month and then 3 and continue this for a year just to ensure, if they find that they didn't get it all, they will dig deeper and remove more, you will be okay...

**Beautiful Disaster** · 10-19-2011 08:15 AM

Don't fret.

Unfortunately with the way we expose ourselves to the sun this is all too common. The important part is now recognizing that you are susceptible to this and go to the fullest extent of protecting yourself from the sun. Don't sunbathe. When you're going to be in the sun, wear protective clothing and good sunblock.

Good thing you were going to the derm and she caught it.

**SecretlySad** · 10-19-2011 03:37 PM

Thanks guys

I guess I just freaked out a little bit when I heard the word cancer. I had expected her to call me saying everything was perfectly fine. I kind of blanked out a little and can’t remember exactly what she said, although I do have a recollection of her mentioning something about 1 in 3 Australians having some form of skin cancer on their body.

I even called her office a second time and explained my panic to one of her staff members. She basically told me that if it had been anything worth worrying about, the dermatologist would have asked me to come in right away, not in 1 month.

Not seeing her for 1 month seems like a lifetime away. I am of course assuming the worst as I always do.