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Health Anxiety- skin cancer?

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Posted 6/2/2015 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
Soooo I've convinced myself I have skin cancer. I have a few moles that are iffy looking and will be going to a derm in two weeks (seems like 2 years!) plus I am seeing my GP on Thursday. I think I do 3-4 mole checks a day now! And it seems EVERY time I find another suspicious mole or area. And then I turn to the evil Dr Google. I've managed to convince myself that I have skin cancer- melanoma to be exact. I've never been a sun worshiper but have had a handful of burns- none blistering though. I've used a tanning bed three or four times and will never use them again. I've never been an outside person.

Both my parents and siblings have many moles as do I. Only a few a considered big while the rest are small. I'm hoping it's just a familial condition- weird moles and nothing too sinister.

My husband has been good about it. We tend to err on the side of caution for some health issues and that's mostly because of family or personal history of these issues. He's totally supportive of me. He has social anxiety so he knows where I am coming from.


I believe I wouldn't be so anxious if it was only my husband and I. But we have two little kids- 3yrs and 16mths. I want to be here for my kids, I want to see them grow up. When I think of them, my anxiety increases. I am terrified of getting cancer. Both my grandmothers died of cancer (one of complications due to colon cancer and the other a combination of breast, bone and lung cancer) and my mother has been kidney cancer free for two years.

I've tried calling the derm's office to see if they can move my appointment up but they are booked solid. I am on a cancelation list though. And hopefully my GP on Thursday will give me piece of mind.

I am happy I found this forum- I can express my fears and anxiety with those who know what I am going through. I've been doing EFT/tapping and that seems to help with my anxiety. I read on one board that exercise can help as well so I'll try that.

Anyone else have a skin cancer scare and suffered anxiety waiting to be checked?

-Diddlina
Posted 6/2/2015 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
I've worried about skin Cancer before. Unfortunately you really just need to try and occupy yourself until your appointment with your dermatologist. It takes forever to get into them!! Sheesh!

Try doing some of the mindfulness meditations that you can find in our resources section and just try to keep busy until it's appointment time!!

Good luck!
Posted 6/2/2015 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome diddlina, I'm happy you found us but sorry you are experiencing Health anxiety. Many of us, including myself, suffer from HA. Know you are not alone in this. As Park12 said, try to occupy yourself with something until your appt, I know it isn't easy but do try.

I can't say if it is skin cancer or not, Only a doctor can do that. But know that when found early it can be treated and isn't life threatening. You are doing a great job on being proactive and seeing a specialist, please let us know how your appt goes.

Please check out the below links for health anxiety, I'm sure something there will ring familar to you. Also check out our resources on the top of the page it has alot of self help links.

Health Anxiety - A Self Help Guide:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/hypochondria/pages/introduction.aspx

Helping health Anxiety

www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/infopax.cfm?Info_id=53

Health Anxiety- The Super Scanner

www.get.gg/docs/SuperScanner.pdf
Posted 6/2/2015 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I went through the same thing. Saw a mole PSA on facebook, checked myself as I had not done so in awhile, and found one that met the criteria listed. My doctor ordered a biopsy, which made my anxiety even worse. In the end, it turned out to be a mole that followed the patterns of a cancerous growth, but was not actually cancer. Dysplastic compound nevus, they called it. Wrote a blog post afterwards all about the adventure, which helped me find closure. I too had a fear of cancer with my mother, closest friend, and stepfather all being survivors.

What I can recommend to you is to STOP LOOKING ON THE INTERNET. You will find all kinds of scary scenarios, diagnoses, and stories that involve the worst case. And when you're anxious, that's exactly where your brain goes: to the worst possible scenario. Don't do it to yourself. Yes, it could be melanoma. But you know what? It could also be nothing.

No matter what happens, you'll get through it. Stop consulting medical writeups, go hug your kids, and spend time with your family. Let them get through it with you.
Posted 6/4/2015 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi!

Thanks for the encouragement and words! :)

I saw my GP today, he seems to think the moles are irritated and nothing to be concerned about but did refer me to a derm. Now I just have to decide if I wait for the one I got through a referral or go with the one I booked in two weeks. My GP said it'll take a month or so to get an appointment so I'm not sure if my anxiety can take that.

I have stopped looking at the internet. At least anything health wise! It's helped my anxiety a bit. I've been tapping and mediating as well. Through in playing with the kids, work, normal housework, etc, I haven't had much time to do anything

I'm a little upset with the Canadian Dermatology Association too. They have been advertising free skin scrennings for their Sun Awareness week but have yet to put up dates or locations. I called them to find out and their response was that there were no screenings this week and that they haven't had time to update their sites yet. THen they said they'll see what they have planned for my area this summer and then I got disconnected. I called back and got VM. So that hasn't helped me either.

-Diddlina
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