my dad has these bumps all over his body, i'm so scared it could be cancer or a tumor. what is it?!?

Question

some are small some are big. he's too scared to go to a doctor, because the results frighten him. ESPECIALLY ME. i'm so frightened. what could they be? & what are the signs of a tumor/cancer?!

Answer 1

There might not be anything to worry about - these could be lipomas, which are fatty tumors: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/articles/763.html My father had a couple of these, and these tend to be more common in men.

But unless your father goes to a doctor, he won't know if they're harmless (most likely) or harmful. Even in the event they might be cancerous (or pre-cancerous), there's a far better chance that they can be removed and treated if they're caught early. Waiting only makes them harder to treat because they'll be bigger and more tissue will have to be removed, and recovery time will be longer. Your father might be from an age where "cancer" was usually caught late because of a lack of available screenings and treatments weren't that succesful because of how late it was found, and this is the reason he's afraid to go to the doctor, but things have changed.

I know it can be scary, both for your father and you because you don't know what's going on. But NOT knowing may cause additional stress and affect his health in other ways (poor eating and sleeping, ulcers) and the worry isn't good for you or others in your family.

We aren't able to diagnose what's happening with your father - only a doctor and some medical tests will be able to do that. But if your father wants to do what's best for you and your family, he needs to get this checked out soon.

Answer 2

First of all fear is your biggest enemy.Try to think more positively, calm yourself.When it comes to the health of your skin, it's a good idea to be proactive and keep an eye out for moles which will reduce your chances of developing melanoma (cancer), or allow early detection and treatment.

If you or a close relative have moles, you should examine your body once a month. Most moles are benign (non-cancerous). The only moles that are of medical concern are those that look different than other existing moles or those that first appear after age 20. If you notice changes in a mole's color or appearance, have a dermatologist, a doctor who treats disorders of the skin, evaluate it. You also should have moles checked if they bleed, ooze, itch, appear scaly, or become tender or painful.
If these bumps do not look like moles disregard this portion of my answer.

What should I look for when examining my moles?
Examine your skin with a mirror. Pay close attention to areas of your skin that are often exposed to the sun, such as the hands, arms, chest, and head.Examine your skin after a bath or shower, while your skin is still wet.
Use a full-length mirror if you have one. Start at your head and work your way down, looking at all the areas of your body (including the front, backs, and sides of each area, and your fingernails and toenails). Also be sure to check the "hidden" areas: between your fingers and toes, the groin, the soles of your feet, and the backs of your knees.
Don't forget to thoroughly check your scalp and neck for moles. Use a handheld mirror or ask a family member to help you look at these areas.
Keep track of all the moles on your body and what they look like. Take a photo and date it to help you monitor them. This way, you'll notice if the moles change. If they do change in any way (in color, shape, size, border, etc.), see your doctor. Also see your doctor if you have any new moles that you think are "suspicious."
What is skin cancer?
Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. While healthy cells grow and divide in an orderly way, cancer cells grow and divide in a rapid, haphazard manner. This rapid growth results in tumors, which are either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Basal cell and squamous cell cancers are the less serious types, and make up 95 percent of all skin cancers. Also referred to as non-melanoma skin cancers, they are highly curable when treated early.

Melanoma, made up of pigment cells called melanocytes, is the most serious form of skin cancer, and causes 75 percent of all skin cancer deaths. Left untreated, it can spread to other organs, and is difficult to control.

I hope this information helps.Try not to worry and ask your Father to help you not to worry by going to a physican and taking the power out of the fear.

Answer 3

It could be anything. Your dad needs to stop worrying about what it might be and find out. The unknown is usually much worse than the diagnosis. Try not to worry . Ask your mom, grand mom,grand dad, uncle or aunt to talk to your dad about his need to see a doctor.

Answer 4

Can you give more details? How long have they been present? He must see a dermatologist right away! It may be serious.

Answer 5

my best bet woul be go to webmd.com.. On that website you can list your symptoms and it will give you a list of possibilites.. check it out

Answer 6

idk what it is but he needs to go to the doctor. because if you keep delaying it might be too late to treat it