Should I bother going to see the doc about this thing growing on my chest?

[jack71]

I'm an old school farmer guy (retired) and don't normally go to the doctor unless its serious. My ex misus from the mother country would have forced me to go to ER by now, but my current thai wife says to me don't worry about it... 'its nothing' she says

 

Its possibly been getting bigger over the months. 

 

Anyone with experience with this can you tell me if its worth forking out for a doctors fee at a private hospital?

thanks

[Sheryl]

As I gather this is new, and it may be  growing in size, definitely you should see a doctor. And quickly. Melanoma needs to be ruled out.

 

I very, very, very much doubt your wife is knowledgable about skin cancers that mainly affect Caucasians -  even most Thai doctors are not.

 

Even among Thai dermatologists, expertise in skin cancers is low and there are only a few places I could recommend going for accurate diagnosis. Where in Thailand do you live?

[jack71]

10 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

As I gather this is new, and it may be  growing in size, definitely you should see a doctor. And quickly. Melanoma needs to be ruled out.

 

I very, very, very much doubt your wife is knowledgable about skin cancers that mainly affect Caucasians -  even most Thai doctors are not.

 

Even among Thai dermatologists, expertise in skin cancers is low and there are only a few places I could recommend going for accurate diagnosis. Where in Thailand do you live?

Bangkok. Do you know a cheap doctor. 

thanks

[BangkokBoyJohnny]

Agree 1000% with Cheryl, go ASAP.

Checking it out will cost peanuts....

If Melanoma quite it will cost quite a bit more but better than the alternative !

[Sheryl]

In Bangkok the least expensive viable option is the government Dermatology Institute

 

https://www.iod.go.th/our-service/บริการผู้ป่วยนอก-en-translation

 

I very much recommend utilizing the "special clinic" after hours  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 4.30pm-8.00pm, Saturday morning: 8.30am-12.00pm, Saturday afternoon: 1.00pm-4.00pm

 

Unlike the regular public channel, where your main interactions will be with interns and residents in training, there you can directly access a senior physician. It will cost you maybe 250-500 baht (vs 50-100 in public channel) but well worth it. Tell them you want to see an acharn  who (1) speaks English well and (2) has  experience in skin cancers/melanomas. (Which is fewer dermatologists than you might expect, again, these are relatively are in Thai population).

 

Other option, depending on where in Bangkok you are, would be the Siriraj Hospital Derm clinic. Will cost more, as they have dual pricing, but if you live o nthat side of the river might be more convenient.

 

Doctor  may advice local excision and biopsy. Which can likely be done as an office procedure under local anesthetic.