A Large Freckle Near My Vagina Turned Out To Be Skin Cancer

Key Points:

• A routine physical led to the unexpected discovery of a rare labial melanoma during a pelvic exam by the author's primary care physician, highlighting the importance of thorough check-ups even in less common areas.
• The melanoma was caught at an early, in situ stage, allowing for successful surgical removal with clear margins, significantly improving the prognosis compared to typical late-stage diagnoses in this sensitive area.
• Labial melanomas are rare, primarily affecting postmenopausal white women, and often go undetected due to asymptomatic presentation and difficulty in self-examination, emphasizing the need for regular professional skin checks.
• The author faced challenges finding a qualified surgeon due to the melanoma's unusual location, ultimately receiving care from a melanoma specialist, underscoring gaps in specialized treatment availability for rare cancers.
• Early detection in this case resulted in a less than 3% chance of recurrence and no further treatment needed, with ongoing monitoring planned; the author advocates for increased awareness and routine examination to improve outcomes for others.