Hi,

Sorry to hear this and that you are so worried. I'm new here too. Just been referred to specialist for suspected melanoma of the eye. Like you, I have a history of anxiety and am struggling to focus on work/life, etc. I alternate between fearing the worst and just trying to get on with things, but yes, it absolutely feels like life is on hold like you say.

My wife is aware of the referral and I will tell her whether I have been worrying or not, but not any detail about my fears. Logically there is no point in worrying as we don't know what we are dealing with, what the treatment might be, etc, but we'd be inhuman if we could completely put that to one side. I know that one of my anxiety traits is to bottle things up and they then become so big I can't speak about it so I'm trying to break the pattern - I've posted here and yesterday I rang the nurse helpline listed on this site.

I hope you get a quick appointment and a good outcome from it. 
 

Take care!

Update on this. I had appointment where pictures were taken with special cameras of my two lesions about week and half ago.

I have had letter back today saying they have regular pigment network, the occasional small dark clod is seen, both lesions show no signs of skin cancer & are benign moles. 
I have been referred back to GP. 
I know may sound weird but I do not feel fully satisfied, I was certainly expecting the lesions to be biopsied considering they changed colour to very dark brown. Are pictures with dermoscopy camera very accurate at spotting melanoma? 
Don’t get me wrong I’m glad to see they see no sign of skin cancer but I don’t feel certain. The believe it’s a melanocytic naevus. Am I being too pessimistic, surely they’d of put to biopsy if there was any concern 

Hi,

The dermascope is a good piece of kit that shows them any abnormality in the cell structure of the mole. If they have any concern they suggest a biopsy, so it sounds like they are completely happy with the result of dermoscopy. If course, if this doesn't allay your fears I would speak to your GP again. They may suggest you keep a photographic diary of any further changes and then consider referring you again. Don't be afraid to push for a second opinion if it's causing you stress. The only other option is to pay for it to be removed privately if you can afford it.

75% of patients referred to dermatology are given a clean bill of health. Many of these are found to be melanocytic naevus or dysplastic naevus (my brother, niece and nephew have all had these diagnosed). I hope this helps,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)