Melanoma
 

I went to my dermatologist a couple of weeks ago because I saw a mole that was changing on my chest. She biopsied, it came back as melanoma (nothing but the best for me :-().

Very early stage (pre excision) but my 3rd cancer (2 breast, 1 skin). I will be getting it removed in a couple of weeks.

I've been doing some research with Dr Google and there seems to be a link between bc and melanoma. In addition, an article mentioned that radiation may contribute to melanoma (I've had both breasts and lymph nodes on one side plus superclav zapped). And, of course, my past sins (baking in the sun) have not helped.

My question is - has anyone else had this happen after breast cancer diagnosis and treatment? I'm kind of freaked out because I feel my body is letting me down (again) and my immune system is not doing what it is supposed to do.

Janis

Re: Melanoma
 

Hi jaykay,

I had a pre-melanoma mole on my upper thigh discovered by my dermatologist last summer. It looked innocent enough to me, it was very small, but triangle shaped, so my derm cut it out, said it was "probably nothing". He personally called me back about a week later to tell me I'm fine, but I was about 4-5 months away from melanoma.
He sent me to a plastic surgeon who did a deeper and wider excision to get better margins, and all is fine. But I am diligent about not being out in the sun too much, and if I am, I am pretty covered up and wearing strong sunscreen.
I now see my derm 2x/year for a "once over." He cut out another mole last week, I am waiting for the biopsy report now on that one.

I did not have radiation. But as BC survivors was are susceptible to other cancers, you just have to be as vigilant as you can. Don't beat yourself up about it, many of us were avid sun worshipers in our youth.

I hope your treatment goes well, early stage is very treatable.

all the best
caya

Re: Melanoma
 

Hi Jaykay,

My melanoma was diagnosed prior to my dx. I had a nasty looking mole removed from my upper arm at least 10 years prior to being diagnosed with BC. The really good news is that so far the melanoma has not reappeared. It was Clark's level 3 and the only thing done was a wide excision to remove it and get clean margins. I have also had squamous cell and basal cell cancers removed throughout the years. As a matter of fact, I wIll be having a few more removed soon. I too wonder if there is a connection between skin cancers and BC.

I'm glad yours was caught early and hope you have the same favorable outcome I had. i'm sure your post will give that final nudge to those out there putting off a visit to the dermatologist.

Best of luck to you!

Re: Melanoma
 

I'm like Gerri. In 1999 I had one lesion on my right upper arm--a weird-looking mole--that turned out to be melanoma in situ, meaning it had not yet spread. Treatment was to cut once for the biopsy and cut deeper and wider to get it all. I also had frequent skin checks for a couple of years.

Before and after the melanoma I had suspicious-looking moles on my left thigh removed and biopsied. Both were "precancerous" or "changing." And just last spring, four years after the bc diagnosis, I self-diagnosed a little basal cell carcinoma on my left forearm. It was a tiny red v-shaped mark that looked like an injury, but it never turned to white scar tissue. Basal cell cancer doesn't metastasize, so no biggie.

When I was first diagnosed my oncologist suggested (from my personal and family history) that I might have an inherited inability to suppress tumors. But I didn't get the genetic testing because at this time there's nothing that can be done with that information.

Re: Melanoma
 

I had a cluster of 4 basal cell carcinomas removed 18 months ago. The fun never seems to end.

Re: Melanoma
 

I have had numerous basal cell skin cancers throughout the years, since my early 30's, and a pre melanoma removed on my leg earlier this year.

We went to the shore nearly daily throughout my childhood/teens growing up in NJ and back then, in the 60's/70's, sunscreen was unheard of.

Nothing to do about it now, but stay vigilant, as everyone else here is saying. I go to the dermatologist every 6 months to get checked, and this is how the last one on my leg was caught.

Please don't blame yourself!

Carol Ann

Re: Melanoma
 

Thanks, ladies. I was getting skin exams every year but I think it will be every 4 months now for a while. I will be having a wide excision procedure and the scar can just join the others on my chest :-). I appreciate everyone's comments, always helps to know you are not the only one.

Yes, Becky - the fun never seems to end!

Best
Janis

Re: Melanoma
 

Hi Janis,

Not fun, this. My best friend is a dermatologist and she says there are quite a few new treatments that are keeping more people recurrence-free after a melanoma diagnosis. So it seems your melanoma is out of luck: it will have to go and never come back.

Love

Jacqueline

Re: Melanoma
 

I had a melanoma (2011) on left fore are. It was removed with a wide excision and no other treatment as it had not spread. This was found 7 yrs after my BC DX.

I still have to see my Derm Dr. every 6 months for 5 yrs for body checks and so far nothing else has been found.

Re: Melanoma
 

Just had a pre melanoma cut off my back. My derm said BC and melanoma are evil twin sisters! She does not like all the chemicals in sunscreen either, recommending those are used only in extreme sun exposure conditions, ie: boating etc. She recommends Neutrogena Sensitive Skin, 100% naturally sourced sunscreen ingredients for daily use.

Re: Melanoma
 

It's interesting that your dermatologist said that (evil twin). I saw quite a few references to bc and melanoma online. I had a follow up visit with my radiation oncologist last week and mentioned it to him and he said he had never heard of any linkage.

Wish these docs would all read the same research!

Re: Melanoma
 

Thanks for mentioning this. I did not know about this connection.