melanoma.....don't take chances!

2 and a half years ago I noticed "something" on the back of my right leg behind my knee. I had never noticed it before and immediately went to the GP to get it checked out. The GP told me he had no idea what it was but it was perfectly normal. I felt uneasy about his "diagnosis" but left it 6 months and went to another GP who again told me it was just a sun blemish...nothing to worry about. 8 months later I again went to another GP to get it rechecked as I was convinced still that there was something wrong....this new GP told me I appeared very anxious, that the spot was fine but for my own mental health she would remove it so I could just forget about it. On the 14th of January 2013 I received a phone call from the same GP telling me I had melanoma. luckily it was a superficial spreading melanoma and had only recently become invasive, just less than 1mm deep, classed as a stage 1. I have recently had further surgery and skin grafting and will continue to have 3-6 monthly skin checks for 5 years, in the hope that if it has spread or a new one develops it will be caught early.
Please Please Please, do not take risks with your health, if you have a concern get it checked by a specialist. make sure you slip slop slap and that your children learn the importance of skin protection. Melanoma is classed as Australia's cancer as we have the leading diagnosis and death rate worldwide! It is not worth the risk

Thank you for sharing, I am so glad you were persistent and are now okay.

I'm pleased for you that your persistence paid off.

I have a formulae experience with a mole on my breast. I have had 2 GPs and 3 skin scan specialist check it all to say its fine and it might develop into something nasty in 5-10 years. They want to leave it cause of possibility if keloid scarring on breast. I feel uneasy about leaving it. Why not take it out BEFORE it goes nasty?

I'm glad you are ok. Melanoma is so scary because you never know how bad it is from the outside of the skin!!

Thanks for sharing, it goes to show that we know our own bodies and persistance pays off in the end!

Great reminder! I too had a strange freckle on my leg that changed quickly but was told by GP it was nothing. A year or so later another GP noticed it when I was in for something else and he arranged for me to have it removed the next day and it was a melanoma! Trust your instincts it could save your life!
Glad it was stage 1 and it's all sorted now for you.