I went to the dermatologist today for my annual full body skin exam! When did you last have yours?

@CereBellum They only said "looks suspicious." It's not crusty like basal or squamous. Probably just a plain ol' dysplastic nevi (abnormal mole) but it was really teeny tiny. I hadn't noticed it before.

@FigNewton Where was it located? Were you able to see it yourself? Punch biopsy or slice and dice type?

It was on my left torso just below the bottom rib. It was very tiny and beside a couple of others that looked the same to me. Apparently the dermatologist thought it looked different enough. It was a slice and dice...I was numbed and didn't feel a thing.

@FigNewton That’s good. Punch ones leave nasty little holes

I'm sure I'll have a little mark for a few days, but I've been cut like this before with little evidence left behind. I'm not worried but I DO have family history of melanoma and I worked as a sun worshipping lifeguard in my sun-ignorant youth...so it's best to be cautious.

@FigNewton Part of the [b]”Tan Clan[/b]. But not your fault really. Back then there was only Coppertone without SPF.

Exactly. Hell, I used baby oil with iodine. Seriously. The only "sun protection" we had was Solarcaine after the fact.

@FigNewton The ozone layer has diminished so much, that my kids are now paying the price,

Quite possibly. And also just longer term cummulative effects over time. Just keep those kiddies covered and educated!

@FigNewton They never think it will happen to them, as they now sit being punch biopsied.

I was completely oblivious to the risk until my brother was initially diagnosed with melanoma in 2003. He convinced me to get my annual checks because siblings typically are exposed to the same risks and thus seem to have the same results.

@FigNewton Am guessing you are fair skinned with light eyes.

Fair skinned....blonde hair (well, when I had hair)...blue eyes. Several freckles and moles.