My daughter has just been seen by the dermatologist and has been told she will need a surgery to remove her mole . This is to be done under local anaesthetic as an out patient . The decision to remove it , does this mean they think it’s cancer ?
I’m sorry to hear that your daughter is experiencing symptoms that are causing concern for both of you.
It can sometimes be challenging to assess whether a mole is cancerous based solely on its appearance. Therefore, it’s essential to have any suspicious moles removed and biopsied. Usually this procedure is performed to rule out the possibility of a cancer diagnosis.
Your daughter is right to check her skin for any changes that may occur. As well as the ABCDErule which I expect you have read about, there is also the idea of looking for the odd one out, that is a mole that doesn't look like all the others. And the NHS website has a mole assessment tool.
It's understandable to feel anxious during this time. We often recommend visiting the NHS Every Mind Matters website or Anxiety UK for tips on how to cope while you wait for more information.
I hope you know more soon and everything will be ok.
Please get back to us if you need any more information or support. You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.
