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Comment by Traubenfuchs | Hacker News Reader

My grandpa died of melanoma metastasis. Get your moles / birthmarks checked by a dermatologist at least once per year, ideally before and after summer and any time you notice a change yourself. The dermatologist will cut out those that look like they could turn into cancer.

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Let me add to this, have a loved one check you out once a month chances are you can't see your back or the top of your head. If something looks "funny" go get it checked out -funny means discolored and not symmetrical. The only reason mine was caught was because my wife was concerned about a mole on my back -turns out the mole was nothing but the exam resulted in having about 20 different moles removed including one that was cancerous -everything is cool but I was lucky. Now I get to go to the derm every 3 month for the next couple of years. Use sunscreen!

I'm very pro-this advice. However for anyone seeking dermatologist to look at a suspicious mole: be prepared for them to be totally dismissive and barely look at you. I had to go to FOUR derms before I found one that took my concerns seriously. It was a very strange and disheartening experience, especially in sunny California. Persist and you will get the help you need.

and were your concerns serious?

Apologies, I'm not going to post my health status or information here. I found the help I needed.

gotta go anon

My derm checks every single one with a dermatoscope and takes pictures of borderline ones to track progression. Your mileage way vaty as I go to a private derm in a country with fully public/free healthcare.

Interesting. My first visit could best be described as invasive, the doc checked every part of my body including places that have never seen sunlight. I was a bit surprised where they checked but it's just the job. I looked into digital imaging, they are even working on AI to identify changes but from what I read, at this time the best method is the old fashion look and see.

Sorry for your loss, and +1 to this advice.

It’s pretty quick and relatively pain free to get your moles examined and biopsied if necessary.

I started to see tiny moles on my arms shoulders and back after going to beaches without sunscreen…. you are terrifying me

> you are terrifying me

If it’s just enough to get you to the dermatologist and then stop, count it as a blessing.

It's likely nothing but it's worth getting checked out. I was a lifeguard and worked outside in my 20's and didn't think anything about it, but as I'm finding out all the damage you do to your body in your 20's comes back to kick your ass in your 50's. I only went in to get checked out because my wife was nagging me over a mole on my back. The one on my back was nothing but the one on my chest was cancer -and that diagnosis scares the shit out of you, you'll never realize how many cancer commercials there are on TV until you have it, ugh. Treatment is pretty straight forward they just cut it out, it doesn't hurt the worst is just waiting for the biopsy to get analyzed. The only advice I can give you is to get it checked out, you'll feel a lot better when it's taken care of.

Check yourself before you shrek yourself.

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