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Referral for skin lesion

Samjs
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Im just wondering if anyone  would give me a little advice because my brain just isn't processing anything at the moment and I feel like nobody with medical knowledge wants to explain things to me.

I've had an odd looking lesion on my stomach for around 18 months. It's covering an old incision scar (gallbladder removal from 9 years ago). 

I ignored it and thought it was nothing until it began to change colour (now a dark brown, black speckles) and it resembles a crusty scab, a little jagged etc.

I went to see my GP 2 weeks ago and he instantly decided that it would need to be checked properly.

3 days later I was called in for a dermoscopy (think that's how you spell it). They took multiple pictures of the lesion and told me that if there were any issues I would receive a call within 48hrs.

4 working days later (six days if I include the weekend) I received a call asking me to book an appointment with a plastic surgeon. 

I had instantly thought that I was in the clear since the 48 hrs had long passed. I asked the receptionist if there had been an issue on my images and she couldn't tell me anything. She said that the plastic surgeon will explain everything to me.

My appointment is in 18 days and I feel really anxious about this, more so because I've received a letter stating that I've been referred to the skin cancer clinic under the rapid access pathway.

My GP says that he doesn't know anything and I feel like I've got to spend the next 18 days thinking the absolute worst while I wait to see a plastic surgeon. 

Im a busy mother of 4, working 2 jobs to make ends meet and my brain is about to explode with all of the unanswered questions. 

I'm a "straight-to-the-point" kind of woman, I like to be prepared for everything and I can tackle any problems head on. Im not good with the unknown.

Would they be calling me im for an appointment with the plastic surgeon of they hadn't seen anything on the images? Or does this appointment, along with the letter I received, appear that something was seen on the images and maybe they were a little too busy to contact me within the 48hrs? I'm totally confused 

  • Hello, and thank you for contacting us.

    I can understand you feeling stressed with all this. You have enough on without trying to work this all out, too.

    It is not unusual for people to be referred to the rapid access clinics when GPs aren't sure about certain skin problems. It may be that something was seen under the dermascope, but being seen by a plastic surgeon in one of these clinics means you are reviewed a lot quicker than on the normal dermatology lists.

    They will likely want to remove the mark so that they can look at it under a microscope. Looking at the cells like this helps them decide what it is, rather than guessing.

    I'm unsure about the 48-hour time frame that you were told about. These days, things take longer than expected, so it's often difficult to put a number on anything.The important thing is that it has now been flagged and will be properly reviewed by an expert.

    Skin cancer, pre-skin cancerous changes, and benign (non-cancerous) changes can all be picked up at the microscope, it's finding out what this change is for you.

    Sorry, I can't be more specific at this time, I know the uncertainty is not helpful. But hopefully, you will soon know what this skin change is.

    Take care and if you want to talk to the nurses on the helpline the number is 0808 800 4040. Lines are open mon-fri, 9-5.

    Sarah.

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Sarah

    Thank you for your reply. I really appreciate it.

    I lost my dad 3 years ago to lung cancer (he was 57) and my mother in law 18 months ago to lung cancer also.

    I decided to change my lifestyle, quit smoking, lost weight, ate healthier. I feel better than I have in years and this has made me feel like all of my hard work has been shattered. 

    But now I know that there's a possibility that the lesion is non cancerous, I feel that the next 18 days will be less stressful.

    Thank you for helping to ease my anxiety. 

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