torn mole--cancer risk? UGRGENT HELP!!

[answers2424]

i had a mole on my right sholder and when i was scratching an itch i caught it under my fingernail and half pulled it off- this was six months ago!

It never healed back to its origional state, but insted left a flap (if you can imagine this) and i keep catching it on clothes ect. and i am slowly tearing it off again.

i would like to know:

A) is it ok to leave it or should i go to the doctors?

B) could it be cancerous because it has been torn?

[Carakeel]

No need to panic, but you should have it checked out by a doctor. Most moles do not cause any problems. If it was at all raised, or dark in colour or has changed in shape it needs to be checked. The fact that you caught it with your nail probably means it was raised. Was it the mole that was itching at the time or your shoulder in general? I had a raised, black mole taken off my back as a child. Cancer does attack certain moles and if yours has been damaged, that means it is weakened tissue, so might be more prone to develop into a cancerous mole. So, rather than worry, have it removed. It is a quick and simple procedure that can be done in the surgery and doesn't hurt. Most doctors prefer to see them removed, but some still think it is not always necessary. In my case, it was taken off a bit too late and I did develop cancer years later. This is not what you want to go through, so better so be safe than sorry. Best wishes.

[sue11]

Carakeel has given very sensible advice that I cannot really add to, except that I would get it removed if only because it keeps catching on clothes and so on. That sounds a bit painful!
Best of luck, Sue

[Goodsoulette]

it could also be a skin tag, they dont look great but they arent cancerous. You can have them cut out properly so they dont grow back.

[andrew 39]

hi
you have been given some good advice from
above abs,
i had a mole on my leg that sounds remarkably
simalar to yours, i kept knocking the head off
it kept coming back, and it was also itching.
i visited my gp, he refered me to the hospital,
i had it cut out with a scalpal, they gave me an anasthetic in my leg, i was on my way back home
in 2 hours. the results were favourable
there was nothing cancerous found.
it has been ok since just a small scar.
so dont worry, cancerous moles are still quite rare. bite the bullet and go to your gp.
good luck.
andy

[answers2424]

thanks Andy, sue and the rest of you, you'll be glad to know im off to the doctors tomorrow morning