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Don't forget the sunblock.

I was being a bit dramatic, sorry. They gave us the melanoma survival rate of 85-90%, so I just did the math on remainder right.

They were concerned it might have gotten away and would appear elsewhere hence the PET & CT scans.

Make sure you get second opinions if need be, ask lots of questions as the doctors are fairly inexperienced with skin cancer compared to Australia/US (sadly) so asking the question might be something doctor hasn't thought about. Maybe. If I hadn't asked questions and pushed back a little I might not be here after being told not to worry about it that first visit.
 
Yeah I use the "Aggressive Design" sunscreen and it seems to do the job, + the Pearl Izumi Cold Shade Arm cover and leg cover and make sure to leave the house at around 05:30 ish and be back by 11 to avoid the peak UV times of 11-15. Still hot though lol
 
I got a pretty worrying mole/mark on my left thigh that I've been meaning to get checked ever since this thread made me pay attention to it again. but of course, we're in the worst place ever by far pandemic-wise, and I don't really wanna go spend time around hospitals during this tsunami. more than a quarter million cases reported today, and that's only the "lucky" ones that got proper test and got recorded officially... damned if you do, damned if you don't...

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luka said:
I got a pretty worrying mole/mark on my left thigh that I've been meaning to get checked ever since this thread made me pay attention to it again. but of course, we're in the worst place ever by far pandemic-wise, and I don't really wanna go spend time around hospitals during this tsunami. more than a quarter million cases reported today, and that's only the "lucky" ones that got proper test and got recorded officially... damned if you do, damned if you don't...
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Knowing is better than not knowing and hoping for the best. Glad you're thinking about having it checked out.
 
Update.... 1st surgery to remove cancer from top of my head, then 2nd surgery for skin graft, then 3rd surgery to get the cancer on my nose and reconstruct. All surgeries done...all outpatient...now on the mend and doing follow up. Playing it conservatively till stitches are out and everything looks like it is healing well, so still another week before outdoor biking for me. The Mohs procedure allowed me to know that they got all the cancer on my nose, taking the least amount of healthy tissue, then testing to make sure all was clear before doing reconstruction. But it is expensive and not covered by Japanese health insurance.

Bottom line.... best to trust your instinct on moles and other odd things that happen on the skin. Much of my worst of my situation could have been avoided if I'd been more skeptical of the local skin doctor's assurance that it was just a blemish on my nose even though it wasn't healing. Should have gotten a second opinion much earlier. Had I had it taken care of months ago, it would have been far less of an issue and far less expensive.

So.... that's it. Thanks to those who expressed concern. Hope to get back in the saddle soon and enjoy some of the best cycling weather Japan has to offer. Definitely will be using that sunblock and UV protective clothing from now on.
 
luka said:
I got a pretty worrying mole/mark on my left thigh that I've been meaning to get checked ever since this thread made me pay attention to it again. but of course, we're in the worst place ever by far pandemic-wise, and I don't really wanna go spend time around hospitals during this tsunami. more than a quarter million cases reported today, and that's only the "lucky" ones that got proper test and got recorded officially... damned if you do, damned if you don't...

View attachment 36234
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Mate go get it checked. I left mine just long enough to go a millimetre deeper into a different classification, and resulted in requiring PET or CT scans every 6 months as well as monthly checkups For 5yrs. Could've been out riding my bike instead…
 
Chuck said:
Update.... 1st surgery to remove cancer from top of my head, then 2nd surgery for skin graft, then 3rd surgery to get the cancer on my nose and reconstruct. All surgeries done...all outpatient...now on the mend and doing follow up. Playing it conservatively till stitches are out and everything looks like it is healing well, so still another week before outdoor biking for me. The Mohs procedure allowed me to know that they got all the cancer on my nose, taking the least amount of healthy tissue, then testing to make sure all was clear before doing reconstruction. But it is expensive and not covered by Japanese health insurance.

Bottom line.... best to trust your instinct on moles and other odd things that happen on the skin. Much of my worst of my situation could have been avoided if I'd been more skeptical of the local skin doctor's assurance that it was just a blemish on my nose even though it wasn't healing. Should have gotten a second opinion much earlier. Had I had it taken care of months ago, it would have been far less of an issue and far less expensive.

So.... that's it. Thanks to those who expressed concern. Hope to get back in the saddle soon and enjoy some of the best cycling weather Japan has to offer. Definitely will be using that sunblock and UV protective clothing from now on.
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Great to hear and thank you for sharing your experience and update with us all.

Skin safety, skin cancer is something we could probably all pay more care to and I know even for me I didn't use enough sunscreen this year but did use my UV arm guards every ride. Sweated all sunscreen as soon as it was applied though I'm sure.
 
yeah I'm definitely going, but corona levels are still not low enough for me to be comfortable about going to hospitals. hammer and anvil kinda situation... I'm eyeing the last Fri of this month as the most probable date

about the paywall @Chuck try this instead
 
luka said:
yeah I'm definitely going, but corona levels are still not low enough for me to be comfortable about going to hospitals. hammer and anvil kinda situation... I'm eyeing the last Fri of this month as the most probable date

about the paywall @Chuck try this instead
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The earlier, the better. A medical checkup should not be delayed because of covid (specially with the weaker omicron)
 
to each their own risk assessment mate. I'm not buying the mantra of omicron being weaker in the slightest, and nothing in the objective data indicates that. on the contrary, each new variation is more dangerous to us on some level: immunity escaping, virulence, contagious, long-covid risk etc etc
 
luka said:
to each their own risk assessment mate. I'm not buying the mantra of omicron being weaker in the slightest, and nothing in the objective data indicates that. on the contrary, each new variation is more dangerous to us on some level: immunity escaping, virulence, contagious, long-covid risk etc etc
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Of course, everyone does assess its own risk and makes its own decisions. No problem with that.
Personably, I always go early if any concern, at least to have a clear mind, and no regret.
Good luck
 
so I went and finally got this bastard cut out yesterday. got about an inch long cut and 6 stitches (warning: gore ahead!)

was in and out of there in like 30 minutes, total chill. set me back 11,000 yen tho...

going there again in two weeks to get the threads out, and find out the results of the tissue analysis. if it's benevolent, that's the end of it. good riddance nevertheless. if not... the beginning? ...of the end? haha we'll see

tomorrow's a leg day, which is never a good thing I guess 😜

doctor said two weeks without strenuous activities... sorry doc, not gonna happen 🤣

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that is not gore. @jdd does gore.
hope it's benign. how quickly did it become that condition from a regular mole?
 
not sure, but it's been like that since I am aware of it really. at least 2-3 years I think... the dermatologist said it's most likely nothing to worry about, but he couldn't 100% guarantee it based just on outside inspection. so he agreed to take it off and send for proper analysis just to make sure
 
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