Hi,

If your GP thinks it needs urgent investigation they will refer you to dermatology under the 2 week referral system. If they thinks it needs investigation but isn't urgent you will be referred under the normal system which can take, on average, 10 weeks. If they are unsure as to what the problem is, NICE guidelines say they must refer you so please press for a referral if it looks like they are dithering. They sometimes say to monitor the mole for a few more weeks to see if the problem clears up - if you are unsure how long it's been changing then again, push for a referral. If it turns out to be melanoma, the quicker it's diagnosed the better. Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (melanoma patient)

Thanks, i have an appointment at 10am today , fingers crossed  

So the dr looked at it for all of 5 seconds said it was fine and suggested i tie string round it so it drops off!

Is it a mole or a skin tag? If it's a mole your GP should not be making such a stupid suggestion. If you tie string around a mole and it drops off and the mole was actually cancerous, it still leaves the 'root' in the skin tissue and it will continue to grow deep and spread. I suggest you take a photo of it, monitor it for a couple of weeks and if it still continues to bleed and itch go see a different GP at your practice.

Angie

Its a raised mole which has grown from around 3mm to appox 5-6 mm and gone from brown to pinky with tinges of brown. I have photos so will see in a few weeks. I go regularly to see the nurse so ill speak to her

That's a good idea. Your GP's suggestion is OK for a small skin tag (larger ones would bleed profusely) but never for a mole. Don't be fobbed off - GP's quite often misdiagnose dodgy moles so if you aren't happy with it push for a referral to dermatology.