Singapore Expats

Hi forumers, my sister had a small black spot (like an ink dot, which cannot be washed off) appear on her forearm recently. It's flat and not bumpy. She thinks its a cancerous mole but I thought it was just pigmentation. Has anyone had similar experiences before?

Yep, but if it worries her, have her go to a dermatologist and have it checked just to make sure. It will ease her mind as to the cancer thing, if she really doesn't like it and it's not cancerous, she can cover it with a tat.

Hugh Jackman has just had one removed on his nose and gave the same advice, if in doubt get it checked out

sundaymorningstaple wrote:Yep, but if it worries her, have her go to a dermatologist and have it checked just to make sure. It will ease her mind as to the cancer thing, if she really doesn't like it and it's not cancerous, she can cover it with a tat.

I'll do just that! The advise to see derma, not the part about tattoo

Beeroclock wrote:Hugh Jackman has just had one removed on his nose and gave the same advice, if in doubt get it checked out

Ooo, I just saw the news about that! http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/ent ... 95624.html

She could have a "blue nevus," also known as "blue nevi." They're not necessarily blue in color, but can be. I had something like what you described almost 10 years ago on the side of my temple along the hairline. The dermatologist removed it and stitched up the skin and sent the mole for testing. Thankfully, it was a benign (non cancerous) blue nevus. You can't even see the scar anymore.

I then read about this type of mole because I've never heard of it and learned these types of moles are more common in Asians but can occur on people of any race.

Hopefully your sister will be ok.

I'd start by going to your local GP, he/(she) can tell you if it just a freckle. If he is in doubt then let him refer you to a dermatolgist.

p.s. My wife had a mole removed some years back, at a day-clinic in Novena.

BedokAmerican wrote:She could have a "blue nevus," also known as "blue nevi." They're not necessarily blue in color, but can be. I had something like what you described almost 10 years ago on the side of my temple along the hairline. The dermatologist removed it and stitched up the skin and sent the mole for testing. Thankfully, it was a benign (non cancerous) blue nevus. You can't even see the scar anymore.

I then read about this type of mole because I've never heard of it and learned these types of moles are more common in Asians but can occur on people of any race.

Hopefully your sister will be ok.

Thanks for your sharing and well wishes =) I will remind her to go see the dermatologist soon.

JR8 wrote:I'd start by going to your local GP, he/(she) can tell you if it just a freckle. If he is in doubt then let him refer you to a dermatolgist.

p.s. My wife had a mole removed some years back, at a day-clinic in Novena.

Sounds like a plan, but I think we'll go ahead to see the specialist, for a peace of mind

Go straight to derm.
I a mole that went a bit funny on my arm. My GP said it was fine, I insisted and so she removed it and sent for testing.
Came back as a spitz niva(?) and I had to go to a dermatologist who went in and had to cut the surrounding area out as well.

The derm told me next time to just come to him for mole removals cause the GPs don't always do it correctly. As was this case.

also ask for a mole map if you're up for it. good for future reference.

whether a mole is cancerous or not depends largely on the shape of the mole.. so if the mole is not symmetrical, it could be a bad sign. otherwise the size or colour of the mole usually are not signs of it being cancerous

david78888 wrote:I really like your way of expressing the opinion and sharing the information.

Oh oh, one to watch for sure....

Wen_XY wrote:

sundaymorningstaple wrote:Yep, but if it worries her, have her go to a dermatologist and have it checked just to make sure. It will ease her mind as to the cancer thing, if she really doesn't like it and it's not cancerous, she can cover it with a tat.

I'll do just that! The advise to see derma, not the part about tattoo

Beeroclock wrote:Hugh Jackman has just had one removed on his nose and gave the same advice, if in doubt get it checked out

Ooo, I just saw the news about that! http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/ent ... 95624.html

I have got something similar on my lip, and have consulted a few docs. As long as it doesnt grow further, it should be fine. But if shoe doesnt feel comfortable with it, she can always laser it off. Hope it helps!