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I was referred to a Consultant Dermatologist last July 2019. I had a mole on my neck which was changing. I finally got a call on 23rd December for a consultation on 2nd January 2020. I had the entire mole removed on 15th January 2020. I thought it was okay, it was removed so I really didn't give it much thought until I got my results on 25th February 2020. I did not expect to be given a diagnosis of melanoma. The thickness was 1.5mm and the stage is 1B which is early but I had to wait 6 weeks for results which really threw me. Initially, my form was good, at the time I remember thinking why am I so upbeat. This didn't last. This turned into furious anger. Why me? I always wear high factor protection, I am not a sun worshiper, I don't use sunbeds. I am having a WLE and SNB done this week. I am terrified, I won't tell a lie. I am a single Mom to an almost 16 year old daughter. I had to tell her last night, she is still in shock, I am still to be honest, I haven't really gotten my head around it because I was not expecting the diagnosis. I am just hoping that it hasn't spread any further. It has been so upsetting and stressful so far, if I have to face another bit of bad news, I don't know how I will cope.

Hi everyone, I had a mole excision on 28th of January. My consultant was concerned it could be melanoma. She said 10-14 days for biopsy results. Currently 11 days. My friend tells me I'm silly to worry as I would have heard by now if it was bad news. Just wondering if anyone had any experiences with wait times and if cancer diagnosis meant expedited results? Many thanks, Elaine

A few weeks ago I noticed a black dot on the inside of my arm. My gp referred me to dermatologist who I saw last week and today I had an excision biopsy. I photographed it over the past 4 weeks and it has changed so rapidly. I know I’ve had it removed now but the wait for results is terrifying. Trying to keep my mind off it but can’t help but get consumed by the ‘what if’s’ It was very small, black and raised, jagged edges but filled out over past few weeks and became darker. I’m a single Mum so I’m just worried about the possibilities. Now with Christmas I know the results will probably take longer. Anybody have any idea? Or advice? Or been through similar? Thank you

My brother has recently being diagnosed with melanoma - detected in a gland in his groin. He has met with his consultant but is now waiting on a PET scan. He has private health insurance and I was wondering if anyone knew approximately how long he will be waiting??

If you've been affected by a skin cancer diagnosis in your life and are interested in sharing your story to help raise awareness and save lives, we'd like to hear from you.A major part of our work at the Irish Cancer Society is to educate people on cancer prevention, risk factors for developing cancer, signs and symptoms of cancer and the importance of early detection. Hearing from people who have been through a cancer journey will help us to do that.To learn more or share your story, please visit https://www.cancer.ie/volunteer/help-others/share-your-story.

Hi all, My 73 year old father was diagnosed with this rare aggressive type of skin cancer in Aug 2016, and has undergone surgery , 4 rounds of chemo, 6 weeks of radiotherapy last year and is undergoing 10 more sessions of radiotherapy at the moment. Just wondering if there is anyone out there with experience of this type of cancer ? I have recently found out about immunotherapy (bavencio/ avelumab) treatment for metastatic MCC and see it is being widely used in the states. Is this something that needs to be discussed with the oncologist as to my knowledge it has never been advised as a treatment option and I only discovered by fluke online.any advise greatly appreciated

Hi, I was recently diagnosed with melanoma and the diagnosis came out of the blue as the lesion I had was nothing like the typical highly pigmented pictures you typically see of melanoma lesions. With red hair, blue eyes and pale freckled skin, I thought nothing of what initially looked like a few joined up freckles. As I have ezcema elsewhere, when the joined up freckles started to look a bit irritated and have flaky skin it never occurred to me that it could be dangerous. I found out later that what should have alerted me was the fact that it was painless when touched, even when rubbed hard, that it had irregular borders and that it was evolving. All of this to say that melanoma has many guises and that it is always worth following up anything suspicious that doesn't heal as you expect. Best to all Kath

Hi, I was recently diagnosed with melanoma and had surgery including a skin graft on my cheek. Things are going as well as expected, but it is still hard to see what looks like a burn site taking up pretty much a third of my cheek. I need to protect any skin not covered by clothes with sun screen for the rest of my life to reduce the risk of the melanoma returning. However, I am having great difficulty finding a sun screen that does not leave stains on my clothes. Has anyone found an effective sun screen that does not stain clothes? Failing that, has anyone any washing recommendations to get around the problem? I'd really appreciate any advice. For those of you who may be wondering, yes, this is the same Kathleen who was diagnosed and treated successfully for breast cancer nearly 6 years ago. It is very hard going down Cancer Boulevard again. Best wishes to all Kath

Hi, I have to start Interferon treatment on January 6th. 4 weeks of 5 day high dose in hospital and 48 weeks of 3 day low dose at home. Anyone anything to input in relation to their experience? Thanks Ariole

A sun screen that doesn't stain clothing?