Moles and what changes to watch for

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 10:26

Just had a conversation with a colleague from the UK on skin cancers. So thought it would be a good idea to post this so anybody with moles knows what to look out for.

The majority of moles are HARMELESS lesions. However if the mole shows change in colour or size or become symptomatic (itch) or change shape they should be removed and sent to the labs for histology reporting, to determine if malignant changes have occured.

The other thing to watch for are Rodent Ulcers ( basal cell carcinoma). These generally appear on sun exposed areas of the skin and present as small, waxy nodules with rolled, pearly border. As it grows it starts to ulcerate and crust over. This is the most common skin cancer , can be treated, so don't ignore if you suspect you have a lesion they are most common between the hairline and upper lip. Seek medical attention as if neglected it can lead to loss or part or all of a nose, ear or lip. Preventative measures always best wear a high factor SP30 or above.

colly


Joined: 31/07/2008
Posts: 297

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 11:40

Mounds of soil on the lawn are also a sign. Fed up with them.

Col

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 11:45

Colly,

Theres alway got to be one joker in the pack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And Colly not sure if there are moles here!!! the animal kind

ilovekibris


Joined: 18/05/2009
Posts: 394

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 14:42

I used to have a problem with moles, but I found a sharp blow with a rolled up newspaper usually sent them scurrying down their burrows.

smithy


Joined: 17/07/2008
Posts: 5301

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 14:56

Come on this subject is not to be joked about, take it serious, one never knows when you could be next

I have come across many people in my work who through ignorance and neglect take these as they say trivial symptoms and brush them under the carpet, but they dont go away so take heed and Listen

Thats my order of the day

Sheila

juliachcc


Joined: 15/04/2009
Posts: 79

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 14:57

Hi all



You should take nuresawful's information more seriously:



My mother had a mole on her leg, and over a couple of years, it increased in size. At the time she was living in Cyprus. Eventually, she and my dad returned to England, and she visited the doctor who sent her straight to hospital. My mum was never ill a day in her life, so she rarely visited the doctor. She also, had not taken the mole growth as anything very serious. As it was, by the time it was removed, it had already started to spread. It proved to be fatel - she was only 64. If she had done something about the mole earlier, there is every chance that she would still be with us today. i miss her very much, as does my dad - they had been together for over 40 years. My dad still lives in Cyprus.



Juliachcc

smithy


Joined: 17/07/2008
Posts: 5301

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 15:08

Juliachcc

I am so sorry to hear about your Mother, that's what I was trying to tell people please dont ignore symptoms no matter how small or trivial you think they are, you are not pestering the Doctor that's what he is there for, and with the heat here please take heed.

Take any advice that people offer you, one day you will be glad you did

Sheila

janjin



Joined: 10/04/2008
Posts: 488

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 16:32

Thanks nurseawful

Really interesting info

newscoop


Joined: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2197

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 17:01

Nice one Nursie; the only problem now is that what I thought was a shaving cut now looks like one of those rodent thingies. Hopefully I`m just being paranoid!

colly


Joined: 31/07/2008
Posts: 297

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 18:26

I did not mean to detract from the original message, I have had one removed myself.

Col

colly


Joined: 31/07/2008
Posts: 297

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 18:29

While we are on the health subject if you are a man over 50 you should go and get a blood test for prostate cancer. The biggest cause of death in older men and if caught early you can change your prognosis dramatically.

Col

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 18:32

Julia Im so very sorry to hear this. No matter what age its hard to loose your mum. Take the advice from nurse she is trying to help you to prevent cases. We can all be negletful here I know I am and I have Irish skin for gods sake. I will now be more vigaliant. keep on posting nurse I cant call you awful. Its all such good advice xxxxxxxxxxxx

smithy


Joined: 17/07/2008
Posts: 5301

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 19:53

Col did you go to your local Doctor here to get the mole removed or did you go straight to a Private Hospital would be interested to know and to post it on here

Any info would be helpful

and Nurse you carry on with your good advice

Sheila

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 19:57

I agree cos no matter who the jokers are we listen xxxxxxx

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 23:13

Colly

You have actually done me a favour, next week I will do a thread on testicular cancer and try and describe in words (not smart enough to put pictures on) how to feel for lumps(, for want of a better word )and advice on the treatment and prevention of same

On a lighter note blood test not the 1st test for Prostate Cancer!!!!

Ladies put your answers on a postcard please. whats the first test???????

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
31/05/2009 23:20

By the way Colly as you say you are a nurse as well so I am shocked that you have taken the subject of skin cancer as a joke.

i.e. moles as rodents

ilovekibris


Joined: 18/05/2009
Posts: 394

Message Posted:
01/06/2009 03:23

msg 16,

Most health care professionals used to working at the sharp end have a well-developed sense of black humour. The crustier ones tend to be those either unqualified or well removed from the scene.

Pogle


Joined: 28/08/2008
Posts: 1536

Message Posted:
01/06/2009 08:55

Nurse

Can you recommend a good dermatologist here who could identify these rodents?



Thank you

Southcoaster


Joined: 01/04/2009
Posts: 81

Message Posted:
01/06/2009 09:52

Sheila, I have had several instances of skin cancer. I go to the private hospital which is reached if you approach Girne from the Pia Bella Hotel and turn left by the greengrocers and then immediately right. I ask for an appointment with the Dermatologist and if he thinks the lesion should be removed Dr Berova does it a day or so after at that hospital. Had one done Sat, it cost 250tl (Path report extra). Best to check your blood pressure beforehand as they will not operate if it is too high.

Perhaps Nurse could cover blood pressure some time. I had mine checked at my chemist but not sure if they all do it.

stellasstar1



Joined: 02/07/2008
Posts: 1519

Message Posted:
01/06/2009 10:04

Can I also add a plea to all you people that go brown so easily and want to tell us fair skin people what to do. I have spent my life telling people that whatever I do I do not go brown. I know I am living in a hot climate now, but even in England people always wanted to give me their advice without me asking for it. To me the sun directly on my skin feels (as I would imagine) like I am actually being physically burnt. The glare of the sun hurts my eyes, so always wear sun glasses. I know that I am a prime candidate for skin cancer as when I was younger got very badly burnt many times, so now of course I am careful. But I can still enjoy the weather here for 8 or 9 months of the year, and for the summer I stay inside most of the time, or the shade of my garden which luckily really is very shady. I don't think a lot of people take skin cancer seriously, but they really should, and I'm really glad this topic has been brought up. I should probably go and live somewhere like Alaska

Trudy


Joined: 25/05/2009
Posts: 369

Message Posted:
01/06/2009 10:11

I have a mole which has slightly increased in size on my arm, however, its only slight and hasn't changed shape, become itchy, oozing or whatever! Im not too worried about it, but will maybe get it checked out after this!



Best and reasonable priced place to go?

smithy


Joined: 17/07/2008
Posts: 5301

Message Posted:
01/06/2009 10:16

Southcoaster thanks for the info well worth knowing will pop along there

many thanks again.

Stella

I have that sort of skin that even walking to the shops I go brown, I never lay directly in the sun and would never lay out by the pool without a big umbrella to sit under no one needs to lay out in this scorching heat without some shade, but dont move to Alaska

Sheila

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
01/06/2009 22:05

Trudy

go and get the mole checked out now don't wait until it gets any bigger. Girne Hospital as good as any they will get dermatologist for you. And they only charge the minimum



Southcoaster

if you live near Lapta will check your BP any time you want.

Southcoaster


Joined: 01/04/2009
Posts: 81

Message Posted:
02/06/2009 09:06

Nurse, thanks for the offer but I now have a blood pressure monitor.

Pixie


Joined: 18/03/2009
Posts: 489

Message Posted:
02/06/2009 09:14

I have moles emerging all the time. I would like to get some removed. Where can I go to in Nicosia that wont cost me an arm and a leg ?

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
02/06/2009 10:03

If you go to the state Hospital in Nicosia they will point you in the right direction, they may even remove them for you for little cost.

spangles


Joined: 22/10/2008
Posts: 411

Message Posted:
02/06/2009 15:23

In the 1980s I used to holiday with 3 or 4 other women and we all used to spend a lot of time sunbathing trying to get a good tan. One of us could stay in the sun longer than the rest of us but by the next day she was white again. Sadly she developed skin cancer and died 3 years ago. I really felt "there but for the grace of God go I". Now I wear SPF 30 and don't sit or lie out in the sun. A real wake up call. If any of you have doubts about a mole - go get it checked out.

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
02/06/2009 15:41

Spangles,

So sorry to hear about your friend but at least she left you with something to think about and that is why you now wear a high factor sun screen. If only people would realise that the longer it takes them to get a tan the longer they have it. I also wear SPF 30 at the moment and later will change to 50 in July / August.

Chris

mamachina


Joined: 22/11/2008
Posts: 730

Message Posted:
03/06/2009 14:18

Maybe a bit late to join this debate - but - I had a mole behind my knee, in the crease as it were - never got sun. Was a malignant melenoma - was like a blackberry bit. Had it out, major hole in leg and needed piece of skin from other leg to cover it. Still quite a saucer like depression but it has filled in over time. But nastily enough 13 years later had huge and I mean huge sarcoma in thigh muscle of same leg. This time, muscle had to be removed, permanent lymphodema and difficulty in walking. Maybe they dont have anything to do with each other but one will never know. Get any suspects "caught"!! Been there dont want anyone else to go same way!

Whistler


Joined: 28/07/2008
Posts: 1332

Message Posted:
06/06/2009 22:16

Just to update. Have been reading the threads and got a bit paranoid because a friend of mine had a malignant melanoma diagnosed a couple of months ago. She went back to Uk to have hers removed.

Made an appointment to see the dermatolagist at the Girne Private hospital mentioned above because I have a couple of moles I was not sure about. Good news, none of them are a problem and I wasn`t pressured into having them removed. I was told they are no problem at all. Cost me 70 ytl for the consultation which is money well spent. Please if you have any doubts - check it out. Mrs W

mamachina


Joined: 22/11/2008
Posts: 730

Message Posted:
07/06/2009 12:04

Whistler - good for you. My son is covered in moles (back) and I made him go to Drs in UK - but so far they are nothing to worry about -but one does, just in case its something in the genes! My brother dies recently of cancer and going back through the families it seems there is always someone who had some sort of cancer - and I wonder if there is a cancer bearing gene somewhere and pops up now and then! I dont know if this is possible or proven - anyone in the medical profession know??

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
07/06/2009 12:23

mamachina,

Yes unfortunately some cancers do run in families especially breast cancer, that's why anyone with breast cancer in the family the daughters / sibling are screened on a yearly basis. Not too bad if all cancers are different in your family but if you have 2 or more with the same type of cancer from the same side of the family you are at greater risk. Still a long way to go into cancer research but breakthroughs happening every day.

If your son is worried about the moles , if you can afford it why not pay privately to get them removed.

Lots of good sites on the internet on cancer genetics if you are worried check them out.

mamachina


Joined: 22/11/2008
Posts: 730

Message Posted:
07/06/2009 12:28

Nursey - Dont think my son is too worried! Its me! He can afford to do it himself, he's a big boy now!! But I alweays have a good look at his back when he is over here just in case!

So far no breast cancer as far as I know - everything else!! I wondered about the genes, and felt it was probable, thanks for your input.

bankadan


Joined: 14/12/2007
Posts: 979

Message Posted:
08/06/2009 09:19

Had some moles removed in UK, 2 of them have now grown back. I thought once removed that was it, not so sometimes!

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
27/06/2009 11:52

After leaving Guido's yesterday met another Cyprus 44 member who told me he had just gotten a mole checked out and is having it removed next week, but had thought nothing of it until this was posted. So good luck at the hospital Mr W. hope all goes well for you.

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
15/07/2009 10:37

Weather getting hotter remember the high SPF sun creams or better still use a sun block. keep in the shade at the hottest time of the day. And remember to keep an eye out for those moles!

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
16/07/2009 08:54

Had an e-mail yesterday from a gentleman, who read this thread and decided to get what he thought was a sore that wouldn't heal investigated. he sent me the pathology report in the e-mail. It turns out he has a T1 squamous cell carcinoma.

The good news is that it is a low grade tumour and has probably been caught in the nick of time. He has to have a follow up appointment in 6 weeks time just to confirm it has all been removed.

These carcinomas are really quite common on the face and especially around the nose, so if you have what you think might be a sore that won't heal don't leave it for another day, do something about it now!

Chris

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
27/10/2009 14:38

Bringing this one to the top again as I am still getting e-mails on this subject from Cyprus44 members!

ttoli


Joined: 24/03/2007
Posts: 1172

Message Posted:
27/10/2009 15:03

I had to have a mole removed from my nether regions..



















last time that i try to F one of them

newscoop


Joined: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2197

Message Posted:
27/10/2009 20:33

ttoli























Prat!

Rottolover



Joined: 21/06/2009
Posts: 519

Message Posted:
27/10/2009 21:01

Guys, this is a very good thread, and certainly no laughing matter. As an Aussie I'm well acquainted with the sun and skin cancer, and have also had a malignant melanoma removed. It isn't until you get a bit older and a friend or relative dies from one that it hits you.



That's when the laughing stops.



Well done Nurseawful, your posts are very valuable.



And the first test for prostate problems is the fickle finger of fate, and that's no joke either...

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
27/10/2009 21:10

The moles I knew retired to Moscow!



Richard