Question:
I'm a 21 year old white male... And I am afraid that I might have skin cancer.
Still, I have spent quite a while trying to convince myself that it is
something else.
I guess I'm probably in denial, but I need to talk to somebody and I don't have
the courage to talk to my family about this. It's irrational, but I am afraid
of telling them, and I don't know why. I need your advice. I need the advice of
strangers that have experience with cancer.
Recently, I have begun to notice strange patches of discoloration on the skin
of my chest. I have done some research on the internet regarding skin cancer,
but the discoloration on my skin looks much different than the pictures that
I've seen. It is not raised, or dark... It is light, and level with the skin.
I am white, with very pale skin.. But the discoloration looks like very light
orange. The strange part is the discoloration has a reaction to water. When I
take a shower, the color changes from orange to red... A while later after
drying off, it will turn orange again.
It has spread over the course of a few months. It covers the upper part of my
chest. I must admit, I am scared. But a part of me wants to deny it. I am
asking if any of you know of this sort of skin condition.
I am hoping that it isn't cancer. I have very sensitive skin, so I keep trying
to pass it off as some allergic reaction... Or as embarassing as it sounds,
maybe it's an STD? My girlfriend moved out of the country, and she is the only
one who I've ever... Well, you can fill in the blanks.
Does anyone know about skin conditions like mine? Is it similar to cancer, or
some other possible reasons for my skin displaying these irregularities?
How long does skin cancer take to spread before it is inoperable? How long does
it take before it is fatal?
Answer:
Tom in case you are new to the group you should know Steph is an oncologist
and you would do well to adhere to his advice to see a doctor.
I have limited knowledge about skin cancer but instinctively feel the
changing discoloration of your skin when exposed to water sounds more like
something a dermatologist needs to look at as well. I can imagine the
anxiety you must feel, so get with it and see a doctor.
