After having what I thought was just a new mole removed (it was cut out), I was told it was cancerous. I've now had a further op under local anaesthetic to remove 1cm all around the site of the original removal and 1cm deep. I've had a skin graft, this was three weeks ago and it all seems to be healing very well now. I was a bit shocked when I saw the op site a week after the op but am getting used to it now. Doctor has told me I should always wear factor 50 sun cream from now on, (I'm not even a sun worshipper anyway) and I am sticking to his advice.
Hi
Yes the second excision can come as a shock but it will slowly turn white and start to fade
Remember - keep checking yourself for further irregular moles
regards
John Ashworth
Consultant Dermatologist
I was very lucky in that at my very first hospital consultation to have a suspect mole examined, I was told that a) it would definitely need to be removed; and b) if it was malignant (which is proved to be) I would most likely have another op to remove a larger margin - just to ensure that all cells were completely removed.
I'm also not and never have been a sun worshipper although I do have horses and have always spent a lot of time outside - that and the fact that I'm extremely pale-skinned and covered in moles does increase my risk! Always wear sunscreen - just facial moisturiser is factor 30 and if I'm going to be outside for any length of time every patch of skin is covered in the highest factor I can get hold of.
Forgot to add, am off to see the consultant again today to have another suspect 'thing' checked out. Here's hoping I'm just being paranoid! :-)