Worried about melanoma (PICS)

Hey guys,

I have a large mole on my lower abdomen that is worrying me a bit. It's bigger than a pencil eraser and oval shaped (round if you stretch out the skin). Because of the size, I know the normal protocol according to the "experts" would be to have it checked for melanoma as a precaution. However, I don't have health insurance and I know we don't agree with standard protocol on this board anyway.

I figure the likelihood of melanoma is low, but I don't want to be foolish and not catch a cancerous growth in the early stages. I know CS says that melanoma occurs on skin that doesn't get any sun, as is the case here. So what should I do guys? Should I stab this thing and douse it in iodine?

I took a few pics after shaving the area (sorry about the shaved pubes LOL). I used the pencil eraser as a reference.

I have tons of moles and the doctors always tell me to watch for irregular borders and discolorations. It's not the size that matters (at least that's what I keep telling myself) and if I had to guess I'd say yours looks okay. Why are you worried about it now?

Be sure to watch it for changes over time, which is good you took pics, and if it feels tender or itchy that's a bad sign.

thissucks - For some peace of mind you can always apply lugol's iodine to it.

sdguy wrote:I have tons of moles and the doctors always tell me to watch for irregular borders and discolorations. It's not the size that matters (at least that's what I keep telling myself) and if I had to guess I'd say yours looks okay. Why are you worried about it now?

Be sure to watch it for changes over time, which is good you took pics, and if it feels tender or itchy that's a bad sign.

Hey sdguy, thanks for the reply. It's basically just the size that worries me, since WebMD and other sources advise you to get tested if it's bigger than a pencil eraser.

Plus since I don't have health insurance, I can't ask a doctor about it. Good to know your doctor doesn't seem worried about large moles.

Reading about melanoma, it seems that if you don't catch it early, it can spread to your organs and kill you. So I don't want to make a mistake by not catching it if it's there. I'm interested in CS's opinion about this though. If he would advise me to spend the money and see a doctor, I would.

CausticSymmetry wrote:thissucks - For some peace of mind you can always apply lugol's iodine to it.

Thanks CS, will do. Are you one to recommend seeing a doctor, letting them do a biopsy, etc.? Or do you consider iodine a cure in itself for a cancerous mole?

If you find that you really have Melanoma, you'll need to use another approach.

Iodine usually works for the non-lethal skin cancers. Here's additional info on another treatment
that is natural: http://www.immortalhair.org/apps/blog/show/1677634-worried-about-skin-cancer-

For melanoma, 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide is worth a try.

If you're really unsure about the spot, you can always get it diagnosed.