Tags: cancer, child, conditions, constantly, dermatology, drugs, flat, health, medications, patch, phobia, rough, skin, spent, sun, sunscreen, tanned, thus, time

Flat, rough skin patch - is this cancer?

On Health & Drugs & Medications » Skin Conditions & Dermatology

3,014 words with 3 Comments; publish: Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:17:00 GMT; (90062.50, « »)

As a child I spent a lot of time in the sun but had a phobia of getting skin cancer, so I would put on sunscreen constantly. Thus I never got tanned often, though my complection is olive.

However, over the past year or so i've noticed a flat, rough patch smaller than the size of a pea on my face 1/2 inch below my left eye. it's actually more like a shape akin to a kidney bean beside a smaller, almost square shaped area the same rough, slightly darker color than my normal skin. Altogether, it's really not even the size of a pea, but it worries me.

Then today I noticed a similarly small and rough, roundish patch on my left cheek. It's smaller than the other one, and not as dark. I wouldn't have even noticed it if it weren't for the similar roughness.

I've heard that melanoma is usually very black, and these aren't anywhere near it.

I know everyone might just say "see a doctor" but I am really *really* broke, and in the past (when I had better income and insurance) I saw doctors repeatedly about a stomach issue, spent hundreds of dollars, and they never solved it. I finally found out from a friend's doctor, but I just don't trust doctors to solve an issue with alacrity. I have no money to throw at doctors, and no insurance right now.

Does anyone have any idea if this could be some form of skin cancer? If you guys think it might be, I'll go to a specialist, (though I know it will cost me hundreds of dollars again) but I'd really rather not go unless I have to.

Thanks so much!

All Comments

Leave a comment...

  • 3 Comments
    • First of all, no one is going to be able to tell you if it is or isn't melanoma. I can say from your description, it doesn't 'sound' like it is skin cancer, but like I said there is no way to tell from here.

      Also, melanoma is NOT always very black or even black for that matter. My best suggestion is to search melanoma and look at the pictures of other melanoma's and descriptions. I think it will put your mind at ease.

      Wishing you the best!

      #1; Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:32:00 GMT
    • Hmm, well I did a bit more research and found something that I hadn't before suggesting that with melanoma, there was a tactile sensation, such as stinging, itching, burning, sensitivity, etc and there isn't anything abnormal with either areas. They feel like regular skin, and also don't have any abnormal collections of redness due to excess blood under the skin.

      Even though the other cancer types for skin aren't as deadly, I hope I don't have those either. They seem harder to diognose. I had a fear I might have had one of them (Squamous cell carcinoma) but it doesn't feel nearly as rough as the photos of those appear.

      Thanks for replying! I'm probably fine but it's good to get some second (even if not professional) opinions. :-)

      --Ukky

      #2; Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:33:00 GMT
    • Its Probably Eczema. Put Some Cortizone Med On It If You Dont Have Money To See A Doc
      #3; Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:34:00 GMT