I might have skin cancer?

I’ve always had a large number of moles. Most are small and hidden, with a couple of exceptions. I started seeing a dermatologist when I was 16. She removed 5 moles from my body and all were non-cancerous.

I went about two years with no insurance, so I didn’t go see that doctor. I saw her today for a full body exam. The only suspicious thing she found was a mole on my left breast. It’s about an inch below the nipple.

This mole was kind of the reason I made the appointment, because it’s new to me. I only noticed it a few weeks ago, but I’m not sure how long it’s been there. It’s oval shaped, dark brown in the middle, and the edges are a tiny bit lighter. It’s flat against the skin, not scaly, has never bled or itched.

She said she wants to remove it next Friday, so I scheduled the surgery for then. After that, I’m guessing I’ll have to wait a week to get the results. I just got home from this appointment, did some internet research on melanoma, and now I’m FREAKING OUT!

They say localized melanoma caught early has a 98% survival rate, normally cured just by removing the growth. However, this isn’t easing my mind. I’ll be driving myself crazy for the next two weeks if I don’t get some peace of mind.

Melanoma doesn’t run in my family, but I know it doesn’t have to for me to get it. I’m scared to death that if it is cancer, that it may have spread to my lymph nodes or other organs. What if I have to have chemo and radiation? Cancer is my worst fear, and now I might have it.

I’m a 21 year old white female, if that matters. If anyone has been through something similar and can offer first-hand insight, I’d appreciate it.