Discussion
Hi All,
I know this is probably going to end up with a trip to the doctors (at least to be sure) but I wanted any opinion on what could be wrong just in case I'm being silly and it's a totally common/normal thing
On the edge of my right ear a small dark brown/black "Smudge" has appeared over the last few weeks. It's not raised from the skin in anyway so not any kind of mole or pimple. I tried washing it off loads of times but it seems to be part of the skin.
I wasn't that worried until I googled things like "Small dark mark/patch on ear" and every result comes back to Skin cancer. Apparently being fair skinned (I'm as white as it gets with red hair) I am at a high risk of skin cancer, and the ears are particularly vulnerable due to their location.
I found a skin cancer chart (which I have attached) and the mark I have looks EXACTLY the same as number 19.
Before I start worrying can anyone suggest any simple or common things this may well be instead and I could have overlooked?
I'm very sure it's nothing but the cancer word makes me feel a bit cautious like the words "Brakes and failed" when you take a car to the Garage!
I know this is probably going to end up with a trip to the doctors (at least to be sure) but I wanted any opinion on what could be wrong just in case I'm being silly and it's a totally common/normal thing
On the edge of my right ear a small dark brown/black "Smudge" has appeared over the last few weeks. It's not raised from the skin in anyway so not any kind of mole or pimple. I tried washing it off loads of times but it seems to be part of the skin.
I wasn't that worried until I googled things like "Small dark mark/patch on ear" and every result comes back to Skin cancer. Apparently being fair skinned (I'm as white as it gets with red hair) I am at a high risk of skin cancer, and the ears are particularly vulnerable due to their location.
I found a skin cancer chart (which I have attached) and the mark I have looks EXACTLY the same as number 19.
Before I start worrying can anyone suggest any simple or common things this may well be instead and I could have overlooked?
I'm very sure it's nothing but the cancer word makes me feel a bit cautious like the words "Brakes and failed" when you take a car to the Garage!
Could be a number of things including seborrheic keratosis, depending upon how old you are.
But a trip to the GP's surgery is the way to go. It's probably nothing serious, but even if it is the worst it sounds like you've been vigilant and caught it early.
Good luck!
Edited by Perec on Thursday 13th June 20:07
Perec said:
Could be a number of things including seborrheic keratosis, depending upon how old you are.
But a trip to the GP's surgery is the way to go. It's probably nothing serious, but even if it is the worst it sounds like you've been vigilant and caught it early.
Good luck!
Thank you, I looked up what you suggested and indeed it could also be that it says on Wikipedia it can be mistaken for Skin Cancer. I'm 25 years old in 2 Weeks BTWBut a trip to the GP's surgery is the way to go. It's probably nothing serious, but even if it is the worst it sounds like you've been vigilant and caught it early.
Good luck!
Edited by Perec on Thursday 13th June 20:07
hedges88 said:
Perec said:
Could be a number of things including seborrheic keratosis, depending upon how old you are.
But a trip to the GP's surgery is the way to go. It's probably nothing serious, but even if it is the worst it sounds like you've been vigilant and caught it early.
Good luck!
Thank you, I looked up what you suggested and indeed it could also be that it says on Wikipedia it can be mistaken for Skin Cancer. I'm 25 years old in 2 Weeks BTWBut a trip to the GP's surgery is the way to go. It's probably nothing serious, but even if it is the worst it sounds like you've been vigilant and caught it early.
Good luck!
Edited by Perec on Thursday 13th June 20:07
Raverbaby said:
I found a similar "mark" behind my ear a few weeks ago and like you googled it, I got myself worried and worked up so decided to go to GPs to get it checked.
He looked at it and said it was nothing.
Go to the docs and put your mind at ease, chances are its nothing to worry about.
I will book my appointment in the morning, I expect I will get the same result as you and then feel like a silly sod for worrying about itHe looked at it and said it was nothing.
Go to the docs and put your mind at ease, chances are its nothing to worry about.
I will let you all know how I get on, thanks for your advice
My OH had a change in a mole on the top of his head (I noticed it as obviously you seldom view the top of your scalp). Within 3 weeks he was in hospital having it removed as it turned out to be Cancer.
He now has a large area (probably the size of the base of a wine glass) on the top of his head. This was in 2011.
Having checks every 3 months with his consultants and the Cancer had spread to his Lymph nodes in his neck. Cue May 2012, me heavily pregnant and he was back in hospital having a 9hr operation to remove some 40 odd Lymph Nodes from behind his ear and neck of which 8 contained tumours. The scarring is extensive but not that noticeable and it's left a very slight irregular shape to that side of the face.
GET IT CHECKED. He was 28 when this started. And he is very fair skinned. Currently clear of Cancer.
He now has a large area (probably the size of the base of a wine glass) on the top of his head. This was in 2011.
Having checks every 3 months with his consultants and the Cancer had spread to his Lymph nodes in his neck. Cue May 2012, me heavily pregnant and he was back in hospital having a 9hr operation to remove some 40 odd Lymph Nodes from behind his ear and neck of which 8 contained tumours. The scarring is extensive but not that noticeable and it's left a very slight irregular shape to that side of the face.
GET IT CHECKED. He was 28 when this started. And he is very fair skinned. Currently clear of Cancer.
Granville said:
My OH had a change in a mole on the top of his head (I noticed it as obviously you seldom view the top of your scalp). Within 3 weeks he was in hospital having it removed as it turned out to be Cancer.
He now has a large area (probably the size of the base of a wine glass) on the top of his head. This was in 2011.
Having checks every 3 months with his consultants and the Cancer had spread to his Lymph nodes in his neck. Cue May 2012, me heavily pregnant and he was back in hospital having a 9hr operation to remove some 40 odd Lymph Nodes from behind his ear and neck of which 8 contained tumours. The scarring is extensive but not that noticeable and it's left a very slight irregular shape to that side of the face.
GET IT CHECKED. He was 28 when this started. And he is very fair skinned. Currently clear of Cancer.
Delighted to hear Mr G now clear. My FIL has cancerous cells on his head. The doctors are quite happy to leave them there for some reason. Presumably they are the "right" sort of cancer and the treatment would be worse than the illness.He now has a large area (probably the size of the base of a wine glass) on the top of his head. This was in 2011.
Having checks every 3 months with his consultants and the Cancer had spread to his Lymph nodes in his neck. Cue May 2012, me heavily pregnant and he was back in hospital having a 9hr operation to remove some 40 odd Lymph Nodes from behind his ear and neck of which 8 contained tumours. The scarring is extensive but not that noticeable and it's left a very slight irregular shape to that side of the face.
GET IT CHECKED. He was 28 when this started. And he is very fair skinned. Currently clear of Cancer.
Perec said:
Granville said:
My OH had a change in a mole on the top of his head (I noticed it as obviously you seldom view the top of your scalp). Within 3 weeks he was in hospital having it removed as it turned out to be Cancer.
He now has a large area (probably the size of the base of a wine glass) on the top of his head. This was in 2011.
Having checks every 3 months with his consultants and the Cancer had spread to his Lymph nodes in his neck. Cue May 2012, me heavily pregnant and he was back in hospital having a 9hr operation to remove some 40 odd Lymph Nodes from behind his ear and neck of which 8 contained tumours. The scarring is extensive but not that noticeable and it's left a very slight irregular shape to that side of the face.
GET IT CHECKED. He was 28 when this started. And he is very fair skinned. Currently clear of Cancer.
Delighted to hear Mr G now clear. My FIL has cancerous cells on his head. The doctors are quite happy to leave them there for some reason. Presumably they are the "right" sort of cancer and the treatment would be worse than the illness.He now has a large area (probably the size of the base of a wine glass) on the top of his head. This was in 2011.
Having checks every 3 months with his consultants and the Cancer had spread to his Lymph nodes in his neck. Cue May 2012, me heavily pregnant and he was back in hospital having a 9hr operation to remove some 40 odd Lymph Nodes from behind his ear and neck of which 8 contained tumours. The scarring is extensive but not that noticeable and it's left a very slight irregular shape to that side of the face.
GET IT CHECKED. He was 28 when this started. And he is very fair skinned. Currently clear of Cancer.
OP, it's highly unlikely to be cancer, but do go to the doctors just to put you mind at rest.
You have to remember that babies are born with no moles etc. They all develop throughout life. The older you get the more moles, blemishes, liver spots, etc you will get.
I have dozens of them, some exactly like yours!
I did go to the doctor a couple of years back when my wife noticed a new one.
His first question was "which one am I looking at?" When I pointed it out he said, "I see nothing here to worry about"
So, book an appointment but, try not to worry
You have to remember that babies are born with no moles etc. They all develop throughout life. The older you get the more moles, blemishes, liver spots, etc you will get.
I have dozens of them, some exactly like yours!
I did go to the doctor a couple of years back when my wife noticed a new one.
His first question was "which one am I looking at?" When I pointed it out he said, "I see nothing here to worry about"
So, book an appointment but, try not to worry
BlackVanDyke said:
Along with making an appointment to talk it through with your GP, please buy a) a hat that shades your face/ears/back of neck and b) a reputable brand of high factor suncream. Use both, lots.
I'll second this 
It's very important. OH now wears a hat whenever outside (even for his job) and our 10 month old son who is very fair and almost white blonde hair always has a hat on with Factor 50 sun block
So true.hedges88 said:
Thanks to everyone for their help on this,
I had my doctors appointment yesterday and he confirmed it's just the start of a little flat mole like I have all over my body. It's just that I noticed it while it was forming that made it different
Worry Over!
Great! Really pleased. Unfortunately as we age we do accumulate little faults. I have a few moles and blemishes that I didn't have 20 years ago. Some I have had removed, others that don't affect me remain.I had my doctors appointment yesterday and he confirmed it's just the start of a little flat mole like I have all over my body. It's just that I noticed it while it was forming that made it different
Worry Over!
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