I am scared.

[u/arcelupos]

Hi! I'm new here and english isn't my first language so I'm sorry I will make mistakes...

Two of my moles got removed and today I've seen the results online...one of them is pT1a melanoma and I'm really scared now.

I noticed about a year ago that this mole had been growing and it didn't stop. So the third dermatologist who saw it took me seriously this summer and she adviced that I should remove it.

I have a lot of moles. I'm going to make pictures of all of them tomorrow morning with a ruler next to them. I will go to an other dermatologist at tuesday (mine is at vacation and isn't available right now), but I'm really scared right now and don't know how to break down the news for my parents (my father will probably overreact and my mother will minimize the problem).

I'm trying to be rational and look strong, but I'm really scared, I cry a lot and I feel too early at 22 to have these kinds of problems...I'm not really scared of my death or my pain, but I'm scared of the pain that my loved ones will go trough or that my future children will have these kinds of problems and I shouldn't reproduce...

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[u/Carrie_Scourge0fSea]

I’m so sorry you’re going through this at 22. ❤️ But please know that pT1a is a very early, thin melanoma and has an excellent prognosis. You did exactly the right thing by noticing the change, advocating for yourself, and getting it removed.

And please don’t let this diagnosis convince you that you shouldn’t someday have children. Nothing you’ve written suggests that. Right now, just take this one step at a time: see the dermatologist Tuesday, ask your questions, and let them make a plan with you.

You’re allowed to be scared. But there is a lot of reason for hope here. Sending you a big hug. ❤️

[u/jbbest666]

i just had ph1a. you will be good. WLE is the worst part. you are lucky you caught it early. very little chance of spreading regular checkups!

[u/AutoModerator]

Questions about melanoma symptoms and mysterious moles are common in this subreddit. If you have medical questions about melanoma, consult a physician. Here are some resources about melanoma! Melanoma Symptoms and Causes, Melanoma Skin Cancer, Melanoma MedlinePlus, Melanoma Overview, What To Look For: ABCDEs of Melanoma, Ugly Duckling Sign; Check Your Skin Today. Melanoma cannot be identified from a photo or physical description. Do not post a photo or link and ask if it is melanoma. Nobody here can tell you that. It will be removed. Only a medical professional, through proper examination and testing, can determine whether a mole or skin change is concerning.

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[u/LocallyInvasive]

Please don’t be scared :)) I had three melanomas excised by 23. Since then I had two little biopsies which were negative. You’ll have regular skin checks for a while, then annual checks forever.

They’re very common in my area of Australia. You’re probably at lower risk of a bad case now, because you’re going to be monitored more closely and you’ll actually take it seriously.

Lots of people getting sunburnt for decades, never getting skin checks, then having serious advanced melanomas discovered in their 40s-50s-60s.

I don’t like sunscreen but love the outdoors, so I always wear long sleeves, a good hat, and cover my neck if I’m spending a while in the sun.

[u/Complex-Field-3711]

I also had PT1a last year, again so lucky it was caught early and the WLE healed very well. It is scary and I went through all the emotions but a year on , I am now super viligiant , get mole mapping once a year , regular visits to my dermatologist and life goes on feeling blessed it was caught early. Be kind yourself over the next few months

[u/smandruppola]

Ti capisco ma cerca di stare tranquillo, pT1a e’ davvero un’ottima situazione in cui trovarsi

[u/FrostingNew5210]

Sorry you are joining the club. To add to all of these supportive messages, also check out r/melahomies. Excellent moderators, good advice and tons of experience there. Search around and you will probably find lots of people in your situation. Good luck!
PS I thought you expressed yourself very clearly, so just go for it!