The Dot That Didn’t Go Away: What Your Skin Might Be Trying to Tell You
It wasn’t even the size of a lentil.
Just a small, dark dot on my shoulder — smooth, flat, and forgettable.
I thought it was a freckle. Or maybe a speck of dirt. I nearly brushed it off.
But it didn’t go away.
Over the weeks, it changed. The edges became fuzzy. It looked darker. And then — just subtly — it started to itch.
Still, I waited. Told myself it was nothing.
Until one day, while waiting for my coffee, I saw a poster in the clinic:
“Most skin cancers start small. The dangerous ones often don’t hurt.”
I booked the appointment that day.
🧬 The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
It turned out to be early-stage melanoma — the most aggressive form of skin cancer.
The good news? We caught it early.
The bad news? If I had waited another few months, the outcome could have been very different.
That little dot saved my life — because I listened.
What to Watch For: Not All Dots Are Harmless
Skin cancer doesn’t always come in dramatic forms. Sometimes it’s sneaky — disguised as something you’ve seen a thousand times in the mirror.
Here’s what dermatologists wish more people knew:
🔎 4 Types of Concerning Spots
1. The Shifting Mole
Looks like: A mole that starts to grow, itch, or change shape
Could be: Melanoma
2. The Pink Patch That Lingers
Looks like: A red or pearly bump that doesn’t heal
Could be: Basal cell carcinoma
3. A Cluster of Purple Dots
Looks like: Bruise-like spots that don’t fade
Could be: Blood-related conditions or rare skin cancers
4. A Black Line Under the Nail
Looks like: A bruise or streak that stays put
Could be: Subungual melanoma (often missed!)
The ABCDE Rule: Your Skin’s Secret Code
When in doubt, use this rule — it’s simple and surprisingly accurate:
A – Asymmetry: One half doesn’t match the other
B – Border: Jagged, blurred, or notched edges
C – Color: More than one shade — brown, red, blue, white
D – Diameter: Bigger than 6mm (pencil eraser size)
E – Evolving: Changes over time in size, color, or feel
What Increases Your Risk (Even If You’re “Careful”)
Fair skin or freckles
History of bad sunburns (especially as a kid)
Tanning bed use
Family history of skin cancer
Immune suppression (illness or medications)
Lots of moles
Even if you use sunscreen today, damage from years ago can still show up now.
What To Do — Right Now
🔸 Check your skin monthly, head to toe. Don’t skip your scalp, back, or behind the knees.
🔸 Take pictures of suspicious spots to track changes.
🔸 Book a skin check if something doesn’t look or feel right.
🔸 Don’t assume — confirm. Better safe than sorry.
🔹 Final Thought: Your Skin Knows Things Before You Do
That tiny dot?
It may be meaningless. Or it might be your early warning.
I was lucky — I listened just in time. You can too.
Don’t wait until it spreads. Don’t wait until it hurts.
When your skin whispers, pay attention — it might just save your life.