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s/o tanning, skin cancer
First of all, so sorry about your SIL, adlove.
I am pale and freckly and have had several family members with the lesser skin cancers (squamous (sp?) and basal cell).
I have used two different dermatologists in my current town. I feel like neither one is really all that thorough. What are your expectations for a good one?
At my last check, I was hoping the guy would look me over very thoroughly. But he didn't even want me to take off my shirt. He just lifted it up a bit in back. He didn't look through my hair to see my scalp. I have a mole on the side of one of my breasts I specifically asked him to look at and he glanced as quick as he could.
It seems like the people I know of who've had melanoma have developed it in weird places first -- like in between toes, scalp, etc. -- not just some obvious easy to spot mole on your face.
What does your dermatologist do?
Re: s/o tanning, skin cancer
My current dermatologist and the one I had prior both check everywhere. On my scalp, through my hair, around my ears, in between toes and fingers and even where the sun don't shine.
My MILs dermatologist did not do as thorough a check and missed two incidents of BCC on her scalp. I had her go to my dermatologist and she has been much happier.
Thanks Vanessa. I can tell you my experience.
My husband's uncle is a dermatologist, so I went to him and his nurse gave me an exam. Since I am not blood related to SIL (h's sister) they sort of took a look at my skin tone and type and knew that I am not really prone to this disease. It was a simple but thorough exam, they also asked if I had any moles of concern, etc.
My husband's was similar, maybe a bit more invasive, his entire body was checked as well.
We do checks on each other at home actually. I think they say once a month is a good rule of thumb. Follow this guideline: the "ABCDS"
A- asymmetry: basically, one half of area or mole doesn't match other half.
B- border: uneven, ragged edges.
C- color: more than one color visible or uneven color.
D- diameter: if it's larger than a pencil eraser, or if the size has increased/changed.
S- sensation: itchy, scaly, tender, etc. and any changes in feeling.
In her case, the mole on her head was found by her husband, it had gotten much much larger and I believe it was a bit raised. It's easy to overlook the scalp, but since it's difficult to use sun protection aside from a hat, thats an easy place to be burned without really realizing it. So I'd say scalp checks are crucial. Get your spouse or a friend to check every once in a while, or if you feel something unusual by running your fingers through your hair, just get it checked out. Can't hurt.
Hope that helps a little.
i feel like a lot of it is personal responsibility as well. i've had multiple squamous cell carcinomas removed, a few pre-melanomas, and most recently an actual melanoma. i am very, very mole-y, so for a PA or MD to examine every single mole is impossible. i go in to the derm w/ a list of spots that concern me and go through them w/ the PA. many of them she can give a quick glance and tell if it's okay or if she needs to look closer. b/c of my history i am overly concerned, so many that i was worried about were fine.
in your case op, i would possibly look into a new practice. i strip down to my bra and panties and am given a drape at every visit. if i have a place i want her to look at under my bra or underwear i will tell her and she'll take a look.
I am going to the derm. in a week. What happens: a FULL body check. Between all fingers and toes, scalp is examined, etc. When I say full, I really mean it. They also examine any moles that seem unusual or that I ask them to examine (sometimes it might not look unusual but I can tell them that it grew bigger, changed color, etc.).
I would change practices. Can you travel a little further to get a new doc in a neighboring town?
SA, do you like your dermatologist? If so, would you mind PMing me the name? I need a new derm. Thanks!
Just sent you a PM.
Zeus and Bubba
Thanks so much! I made an appointment.
Can I get a PM too? I like my derm, but feel like she's too focused on cosmetic procedures.
I've had a horrible experience at my dermatologist's office recently (and it's at a teaching hospital!). She made it seem like I was wasting her time coming in for a yearly check. I tanned alot when I was younger, have a lot of moles and my sister has had several suspicious moles removed, so I feel like I'm at a higher risk than some people (I do have dark hair, so I guess that makes me low risk according to my doctor).
She didn't do a very thorough job (she didn't look at my chest or stomach really at all). She did say I had one mole that looked slightly suspicious and she told me to keep an eye on it (it's on my back, so that will be kind of hard).
Just sent you a PM too.
I have never had anyone really check my skin. I have to be very specific about certain spots but no derm or regular doc I have ever seen has ever taken the initiative to check me out.
My dad has had several scary spots cut out so I, too, agree that you'd think this would raise a flag and make docs more proactive.