Possible skin cancer scare.

I'm only 26... I figured I would be safe for a while. I hope I am right. It used to be small and come and go with sun exposure, but this growing multicolor dot on my left arm has me thinking otherwise unfortunately. I do not possess insurance so I've been searching for a dermatologist I can afford to go to in order to test it and what not. Any help will be appreciated. Popped up a week ago and is still slowly growing. Here is a crappy picture.

I had a skin cancer that almost looked like that and then one day it just exploded in size. It was confirmed to me by dermatologist it was skin cancer. Get it checked out some forms can grow fast.

I got another 50 someone start one of them paypal things if needs be.

I've got 50 to help.

Dude, don't fuck around! I got $50 too.

That's 2 bills right there.   Your next post better be about you having an appointment.

-Allen

Ok, the closest appointment i have found is a month out. Too long to wait?

Scheduled for dec 2.

You might search Rick Simpson oil  to use before your appointment cant hurt about $30. He says put it on bandaid and apply to area for  a few weeks I think.

Ok, the closest appointment i have found is a month out. Too long to wait?

Too long IMO.  How about you ask the place you're scheduling at.  Tell them what's going on and that you are really concerned that a month is too long and see what they have to say.

-Allen

I'm happy with the 2. she said if they have cancellations she will call

Is your appointment with a dermatologist?  I hope so, it will save a step since a GP will refer you if they have any doubt that it might be.  A dermatologist will examine and if he/she identifies it as potential, will take a biopsy.  That will take a week or more for results.  If it's cancer, the biopsy will also determine if they got all the margins.  If not, you will be scheduled for surgery in-office.  A biopsy will be done on what they cut out.  Another week for the results and if they got all the margins this time, you are done!  Well, until next year.  You will be told to have an exam every year since you have a medical history involving a skin cancer. 

A picture is worth a thousand words they say.   I had a mole that my GP doctor didn't like and had sent me to a dermatologist, who eventually had to remove a big chunk of meat to get all the margins.  It was just a mole, maybe 3/4 the size of a pencil eraser's end on my chest.  Nothing special or that I could see any different than any other mole.  There where 43 stitches to close me back up, 11 on the skin, the others deeper.  They removed a chunk of me that reminded me of a too-big piece of raw steak.  I guess the doc didn't want to have to go back in a second time. 

I hope the nipple shot doesn't violate any of the forum's rules.   

looks like a dag infection. is it hot to the touch? and have you hung out where there is a possibility you got bit by something.

If you were from where I live, it would be a fire ant bite.

With no insurance you are likely to pay premium rates so check beforehand what a doctor will charge for a cash patient. In addition to the skin doctor's charge you will have the biopsy charge, the lab charge, and possibly a surgical procedure charge. I had a melanoma removed and without insurance the cost would have been thousands of dollars. No need for a GP, go first to a skin doctor in your area.

It usually takes many years of UV exposure for a melanoma to occur so it tends to be an old peoples' disease. When I was at the surgeon's office all the guys had bandages on their ears (thanks to wearing ball caps) and the women had the bandages on their noses.

My exposure came from years of sailing and scuba diving where I was not wearing a hat. Sunblocks are not an alternative to clothing to avoid UV damage and the lighter the clothing the less UV protection it is going to provide.

Melanoma does not discriminate by age!  It may "tend" to be more prolific with age, but it can just as easy take someone of younger years.

Melanoma does not discriminate by age!  It may "tend" to be more prolific with age, but it can just as easy take someone of younger years.

My brother had melanoma in his early 20s. It was on his nose, and they cut about 20% of his nose off before they thought they'd gotten it all. It was a success, since he's now 52 and still going strong.

Take it seriously, and get it checked out ASAP. I'll gladly donate $50, or more if you need it.

I have a friend that got skin cancer in his early 20's.  A decade later he had brain cancer, possibly a recurrence that spread, but we'll never know.  RIP Pete.   

-Allen