Full Body Mole Check / Mole Mapping?

[Sweety_tweety]

Due to the amount of moles I have and my family history, I go for a full body mole check yearly. My dermatologist looks at my moles with a magnifying glass and she also parts my hair to check my head. My Mom recently went to another dermatologist and they just took a quick glance at her. A friend of mine said her dermatologist uses a special light and a magnifying glass.

Two of my recently removed moles were very early melanoma. Since this diagnosis, I have been doing a little of my own research and discovered that mole mapping is a fairly new method of tracking moles and their changes and some doctors take pictures of your body.

I am curious to hear about other people experience getting a full body mole check or if anyone has had the mole mapping done by a dermatologist. Once you have a melanoma mole, how often do they want to check you?

I know catching melanoma in the early stages is critical. I am hoping this thread might educate/encourage people to get their moles checked.

 

[denegate]

I go every six months for a full body check. My dermatologist also just uses a magnifying glass and notes any suspicious moles and biopsies them. Did you doctor actually say you had "early melanoma" or a pre-cancerous mole? All skin cancers are not melanoma which is the most serious type. If you have been diagnosed with Melanoma (early or not) your dermatologist should have referred you to another specialist.

 

[megthewonderful]

I am 31 and have been going for a full body mole check every year for the past 6 years. When having my first child, the anethesiologist (I know I spelled it incorrectly) noticed a mole on my back that didn't look right to him while I was getting my epidural. Sure enough, it was pre-cancerous and I needed a few others off at the same time. Each year, I end up having one or two removed. Definitely worth the visit to the dermatologist each year.

 

[Sweety_tweety]

I go every six months for a full body check. My dermatologist also just uses a magnifying glass and notes any suspicious moles and biopsies them. Did you doctor actually say you had "early melanoma" or a pre-cancerous mole? All skin cancers are not melanoma which is the most serious type. If you have been diagnosed with Melanoma (early or not) your dermatologist should have referred you to another specialist.

The one mole was melanoma only on the surface and had no chance of spreading. The Dr. expected the other mole to be melanoma in just a few months. I had to have additional tissue removed from both of the mole areas to make sure they had a clear margin on both. I go back on August 13 to get the stitches out. I am anxious to get back to the Dr. to see what he recommends next--I am guessing maybe another mole check in 6 months.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Good reminder, thanks. Good luck to you.

 

[denegate]

That's good. You will be fine, I'm sure your dermatologist will speak to you about the importance of sunscreen. Mine drills it into my head every six months.

 

[quasar4legs]

I'm in Australia and my local family GP does mole mapping on a yearly basis. We also have skin cancer checks available for people during the summer at our local beaches.
I have already lost 2 friends to skin cancer and both were in their early 30's, it can be a very aggressive disease.

Glad everything worked out OK for you.

Cheers

 

[ksoehrlein]

Thanks for the reminder. This has been on my to-do list for years and I needed another kick in the pants to actually make the appointment.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I need to do this.. it is important to have these checks.. thanks for this reminder..

 

[minkydog]

I have my dermatologist check moles about every 1-2 years. She goes over me with a light and a magnifying glass, looking into every crack and crevice. I am fair-skinned and I had many bad sunburns in my childhood (before we had sunscreen--baby oil, anyone?) I never really got into the habit of using daily sunscreen until recently. Lucky for me, I guess, I never liked being outdoors much in the summer. The doctor says my skin looks pretty good for a 52yo woman.

Not to say that I don't take cancer screening seriously. I do. My step-brother died of melanoma about 2 years ago. David had a suspicious place on his face for at least 2 years before it was diagnosed. By then it was quite advanced. You could never believe how bad skin cancer could be until you see what a melanoma can do. The stuff he went through. He had 9 months start to finish. It was just awful. Awful.

 

[tea for girls]

In 2001 I was diagnosed with melanoma (I was 7 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child) that was in-situ (this means that it was contained and had not spread).
I see my dermatologist at least twice a year, sometimes more often if I note a change in something. My MD uses a light, small hand held magnifier, and individual pictures of every spot on my body to body map. Since my first diagnosis 2 more spots have been removed that were on their way to becoming melanoma (both were spots that I pointed out changes in).
I can't stress enough the importance of knowing what your own moles look like. Doctors are trained professionals, but they need your input as to what has changed or "looks different" since your last visit. You are the one who is ultimately responsible for your health. Best wishes!

 

[Sweety_tweety]

I posted the original message wondering about other people's experiences. I switched dermatologist--that's a whole other story.

The new dermatologist was much more thorough--checked all my moles with a magnifying glass with a special blue light and measured my moles. She said the type and amount of moles that I have, she highly recommended that I have a mole mapping done.

The company she suggested is DermaTrak (www.dermatrak.com). They take pictures of your body, give you a binder with 9"x12" prints, a cd is extra. It is not cheap--$450. You can then use the pictures doing your own mole check and take it to the doctor for your mole check. Anyone have any experience with this company or a similar type of service?