do I have anything to worry about? (picture)

[rubee]

Do I have anything to worry about? I'm worrying about skin cancer now *rolls eye* and I thought this freckle thing.. well I worry.

It's on my stomach. I have had it since birth, my dad has one exactly the same in the same place too (and we share some other freckles, I get my genetic make up from him) And it hasn't really changed in shape or size, it did a few years ago, it sort of became raised and went slightly paler on the top, but other than that, it doesn't itch or hurt and it's just that one there on its own.

[Godfrey]

If you've both had it since birth...Yeah, don't worry.  XD!  As far as I know those generally don't spontaneously become cancer.  In fact, I've got two of my own that look pretty similar.  Hell, I've got a huge unexplained, non-painful mark on my ribs I've never understood..

I admit that I don't know why it would change like that, but if it was a few years ago...Yeah, you're fine.

[renaed]

I have one of these (since birth) on my thigh.

I show my derm every year. He isn't worried.

Have you ever showed your doc? I wouldn't worry.

[rubee]

I haven't shown my doctor yet but I will do.

Is it normal for it to be a little pale at the top? I just don't want to worry anymore.

[marc]

To be on the safe side, I would show it to a dermatologist.

[rubee]

I spoke to my doctor on the phone - she said, although she hasn't seen it, she thinks I'm fine, because I had a full blood work blood test in december and that was perfectly fine - she said, if there was anything wrong it would have shown up in my blood results. Is this true? Can I stop worrying?

[crazygirl1]

If you've had it since birth then no, it's not skin ca...:)

[rubee]

Thank you :) I don't even know why I'm stressing, it hasn't changed lately, it's been like this for maybe a few years now, and apparently they change as you get older? And like my doctor said, my blood test results show I'm healthy, so.. Yeah, I'm not dying. lol

[crazygirl1]

I've been thru the skin ca fear last summer and I learned that if they're new or change then have them looked at by a dermatologist, but if it's one you've had all your life-nothing to worry about.

[rubee]

Alright thank you :) Hopefully I will be able to relax now.

[rubee]

I found this website which really helps http://www.skincarephysicians.com/skincancernet/moles_children.html

I think I have a Dysplastic mole. At least that's what best fits the description. They're benign but need to be checked often after puberty. And they're genetic - my dad has the same thing, so it must be that.

*wipes brow* Relief.

[Carryon]

I wish I had a dollar for every mole or freckle. You get more as you get older anyway.

I let my dermatologist figure it out; that's what you should do. The idea is for people to be aware of changes and see a dermatologist not worry about the changes.

[sagremus]

Interesting me & my mom also share the same freckle/mole thing but ours is on our arms. I went to a derm to get it checked for skin cancer and they laughed at me.

[marc]

I once had a basal cell carcinoma on the top of my right nose. I had it removed by a very specialized skin cancer
surgeon; a Moh's surgeon. The Moh's surgery was fine and he said I should have no further problems, as is the case
with the vast majority of basal cell carcinoma. While I was at his office I asked him to look at other moles/skin issues and
he said all looked good. I apologized for asking him to look at my other skin issues as I did not
want to seem paranoid. What he said to me after that I will never forget. He said, no problem, as a little paranoia is good as
it may some day save your life. Enough said.