Hi are you able to get a second opinion from a different doctor? Have you mention to your doctor about your mums skin Cancer? Sending hugs, I'm awaiting an appointment with a dermatologist as I have a mole that has been itching and is sore on my back. Good luck 

Hi,

I'm not a nurse but I have been a melanoma patient for many years. The nurses won't be back until tomorrow so I wanted to answer your post.

I'm actually gobsmacked that a GP has said such a thing. Firstly, unless they looked at the mole with a dermascope, there is no way a GP can tell if a mole is benign, pre-cancerous or cancerous with the naked eye. If they did use a dermascope and it's shown enough changes for it to look pre-cancerous, a GP should not be waiting for it to turn cancerous - it's the most ridiculous thing I've heard. It's not cosmetic (just being on the face does not mean it's cosmetic), it's possibly pre-cancerous (dysplastic, atypical) and no one, you, a GP or even a dermatologist would be aware at what point it's turned cancerous in order to then get it removed. Also, if it wasn't a mole but a sore or spot or lesion that was believed to be a non melanoma skin cancer ie. basal cell or squamous cell, the GP would refer the patient to dermatology so a 'possible' dysplastic mole (which is more serious) shouldn't be left without treatment.

So my advice to you is to contact your GP practice again and ask to see another GP. Partcularly ask if they have one that specialises in dermatology (they pay out of their own pocket to do a course so they can use a dermascope). If they don't have one, ask for any other GP. If there isn't one or they make things difficult, ask for a meeting with the Practice Manager and tell them the lack of care you have just received & ask them where in their practice policy it says that a patient suffering with a pre-cancerous problem must be told to wait until it becomes cancer. Also tell them about your family history. Stick to your guns, kick up a stink if you have to but do not accept this. You should not have to look at private treatment, whether you can afford it or not. If your would prefer, you can arrange a private consultation with a dermatologist for it to be examined (I think it will cost around £200). If the dermatologist agrees that it may be pre-cancerous and therefore needs removing, they can then write to your GP advising they refer you to a NHS dermatologist under the 2 week rule for it to be removed and a biopsy done.

Whatever you do, ensure that you are referred and that it is done under the 2 week cancer pathway, not the non urgent route as it can take up to 18 weeks to be seen. 

I'm so sorry that you have been treated so shabbily by a GP and I hope you get this sorted out. Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)