I have a tiny black mole

PLEASE make an appointment immediately with a dermatologist. It's quick and easy. My sister had a small black mole appear on her leg. She said it looked like a speck of pepper . Sure enough, it was melanoma. It was caught very early and she is fine years later.

The easy way to remember the warning signs of melanoma are ABCDE - asymmetry, border, color, diameter, and evolving. You said that the mole seems to be growing and changing so you at least have the E. Go ahead and try to get in with the derm as soon as is reasonable. If nothing else, he or she will be able to help you understand what to look out for in the future. We should all know our own skin because one other warning sign of a potential problem is the "ugly duckling" mole - the one that doesn't look anything like the others.

i would mention it to the oncologist.

Ask your Oncologist to get you into the dermatologist sooner. Waiting a few months will drive you crazy! Or at least, it would drive me crazy. J9

Melanoma can and does occur in areas without sun exposure. It follows the ABCDE code.....asymetry (melanoma appears asymetrical....one side bigger than the other),, borders which are not round but irregular, color is often different within the lesion and diameter is often bigger than the end of a pencil and evolving...change of any sort. That being said, see your dermatologist and have it removed if you are concerned. EVERY new, fast growing mole should be looked at and/or one that has changed appearance. I am of the opinion that all large moles should be removed, especially on thighs, backs, and calves. Melanoma can be black, brown, tan, white and red....so color alone isn't suspect but it is when they appear in the same mole. Also I read somewhere that women with breast cancer history are a wee bit more prone to skin cancers. Great. Another stat.

Nancy, that's frustrating that they can't fit you in. FWIW, I've never heard that there is any connection between BC and melanoma (though, now that I think of it, I wonder if there's a correlation between radiation? That might be a good follow up question for your RO, if you had it). I had a mole on my breast removed 9 years prior to my BC Dx and it turned out to be hyperplasia (pre-cancer). Since my BC was in the same breast I asked many cancer docs and everyone said, unequivocally, that it's not related. But yeah, I'm with you, that after BC I don't want to take any chances.

I wonder if there are any other dermatologists in that town an hour away or ? Or, maybe your MO will have ideas. Or maybe, after he sees you, their office can call on your behalf to get an appointment. FWIW, when I've gone in to have one mole checked out, that's all they looked at. So, if you're driving that far, you may want to ask for a skin cancer screening and, of course, point out that area. In my experience, they sometimes want to "wait and see." Since I am squarely in the "better safe and sorry" camp I've asked to have anything suspicious removed. (since my BC Dx, I had two suspicous spots removed. Both were completely normal, not even hyperplasia). They are able to do it on the spot and it takes just a couple minutes. (I think the longest part is waiting for the area to numb up). Not sure if these comments are any help, but I'll be sending your good thoughts next week.

Arg! I hate cancer.

But thanks, bluepearl, for the heads-up. Here's the link

http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma/melanoma-causes-and-risk-factors/melanoma-and-breast-cancer-a-new-warning

Another reason to stay on top of the annual skin cancer screening.

I had a melanoma that looked exactly like a black pen prick, as did my sister. It followed NONE of the ABCDE logic so doctors were keen to ignore it since it was only 1mm but I fought them, knowing it was exactly like my sister's. I got it removed 6 months after noticing it and it was still stage 0 (in situ) so I wouldn't worry too much about the 2014 appointment. But I would worry if they cite the ABCDE bullsh*t and say biopsy-ing it isn't necessary. I can't repeat enough how much the ABCDE means nothing.

I hope it's nothing, but if it is significantly darker than your normal moles/freckles, get it removed.

It was my understanding that melanoma is one of the cancers that BRCA1/2 puts one more at risk for.  Does this article mean to say that anyone who has had breast cancer is now at increased risk for melanoma (and vice versa) or just those with the genetic mutation?

I've had a number of "questionable" moles removed over the last thirty years; ones that various dermatologists have said weren't cancerous or even pre-cancerous, but - given enough time - had a high probability of becoming cancerous.  They never had an issue removing them and no-one ever suggested a "watch and wait".  If you're concerned, go back to see her.

Nancy, FWIW, I've twice insisted on having a funny spot removed and biopsied. They've turned out to be nothing but it's been great peace of mind. Sometimes the conversation feels like a bit of a negotiation, but I hold the trump card: it's my body! Plus I've had BC, I know people with melanoma, and I subscribe to the "better safe than sorry" philosophy of medicine. Unless the docs know for sure that's it's not cancer, It's hard for them to argue with that. As lekker said, the procedure is quick and easy. Good luck!