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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Itchy Mole On The Back. Red On Edges.Cancer?

Hi there.
I am sixteen years old, and i think a mole on my back is showing signs of cancer.
I've had this mole since i was a very little girl, and it's always been sticking out some, but last night, i noticed it hurt and bleeding. It also appears much, much darker than it has ever been before.
I went to tell my mother as soon as i found out. She quickly brushed it off and said that i must of scratched it. While this could be a possibility, i asked her if i could get it checked out just in case. I would rather be safe than sorry. She told me to stop over reacting and stuck a bandaid on it.

Today, i wake up to the mole tingly and itching like crazy, it is also red around the edges. Again, i asked my mother if she would take me just to get it looked at. Again, she refused.
I'm starting to become really scared and i'm unsure on what to do.
I told her how it could still be cancer, and she doesn't seem to believe me or care.
What can i do to convince her to take me?
Fri, 19 Apr 2013
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Dermatologist,  's  Response
Hi thanks for writing here.Normal moles are usually a single colour, round or oval in shape and not larger than 6mm (1/4 inch) in diameter. Melanomas (cancerous mole) are more likely to have an irregular shape, be more than one colour, and are often larger than 6mm (1/4 inch) in diameter. A melanoma may also be itchy and may bleed.

A good way to tell the difference between a normal mole and a melanoma is to use the ABCDE checklist:

A stands for asymmetrical – melanomas have two very different halves and are an irregular shape.
B stands for border – unlike a normal mole, melanomas have a notched or ragged border.
C stands for colours – melanomas will be a mix of two or more colours.
D stands for diameter – unlike most moles, melanomas are larger than 6mm (1/4 inch) in diameter.
E stands for enlargement or evolution – a mole that changes characteristics and size over time is more likely to be a melanoma.
In your case it may be possible that a trauma may occured to your mole and it may be infected,also after applying bandage it started itching ,so first just remove bandage ,apply antibiotic cream over area,take antiallergy tablets like avil for 5 days ,but if still no response then better consult a dermatologist.
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Itchy Mole On The Back. Red On Edges.Cancer?

Hi thanks for writing here.Normal moles are usually a single colour, round or oval in shape and not larger than 6mm (1/4 inch) in diameter. Melanomas (cancerous mole) are more likely to have an irregular shape, be more than one colour, and are often larger than 6mm (1/4 inch) in diameter. A melanoma may also be itchy and may bleed. A good way to tell the difference between a normal mole and a melanoma is to use the ABCDE checklist: A stands for asymmetrical – melanomas have two very different halves and are an irregular shape. B stands for border – unlike a normal mole, melanomas have a notched or ragged border. C stands for colours – melanomas will be a mix of two or more colours. D stands for diameter – unlike most moles, melanomas are larger than 6mm (1/4 inch) in diameter. E stands for enlargement or evolution – a mole that changes characteristics and size over time is more likely to be a melanoma. In your case it may be possible that a trauma may occured to your mole and it may be infected,also after applying bandage it started itching ,so first just remove bandage ,apply antibiotic cream over area,take antiallergy tablets like avil for 5 days ,but if still no response then better consult a dermatologist.