Hi Em,

I know how worried you must be. Moles can change, new ones appear or other skin conditions occur during pregnancy because of the hormonal changes. This doesn't always mean that the mole is cancerous though. An existing mole becoming raised isn't, in itself, something that a GP would refer a patient for. NICE guidelines give GP's a checklist and referrals should only be made if the mole scores 3 or more on the checklist or the GP isn't happy about what it may be. Your mole will have only scored 1 I'm afraid but this doesn't help you with your anxiety. Do you know if your GP specialises in dermatology? Some GP practices have a specialist GP who knows how to use a dermascope - this shows any unusual activity in the mole.

My advice is that you have 3 options - the first being to photograph your mole every 2 weeks so you can monitor any further change - place a ruler next to the mole each time so it shows if there has been any change in size. If, after a few weeks, you notice any change, re-contact your GP. The second option is to contact your GP and ask to see a different GP for a second opinion - you have every right to ask for this. At the moment GP's are sending the patient's photos to dermatology if they think they need an expert opinion. If necessary, the dermatologist will then make an appointment for the patient to come in & see them. The last option, if you can afford it or if you have private health insurance, is to pay for a private consultation with a dermatologist. 

To try and ease your worries a little - my niece is being monitored by a dermatologist because she has had pre-cancerous moles removed in the past and because we have melanoma in the family (me). Her dermatologist monitored a mole on her stomach whilst she was pregnant last year & once her son was born she had it removed - it was benign. 

Good luck with whatever you decide to do & with your pregnancy. Please let us know how things go if you get to see a dermatologist.

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient)

Hi Angie,

first of all thank you so so much for taking the time to write such a kind and reassuring response, I truely appreciate it.

I have started to look into private options, but it looks like a lot of private hospitals (in Scotland anyway) are not yet open for this sort of thing, however I will keep trying and failing that I will try the photo every 2 weeks to keep an eye on it. Do you think if it doesn’t continue to change it’s less likely to be something sinister? 

Many thanks again,

Em.

Thank you Angie, I definitely will do both of these things. Thanks again for your advice and I wish you all the best.

Em.

Just an update,

I did manage to get a private dermatology appointment which was yesterday and the doctor wants to take a shave biopsy as he thinks the change is too dramatic to be pregnancy related. Now i’m really quite freaked out! He would normally do it the same day but because of coronavirus it has to be a separate appointment which is going to take a few weeks. I’m worried about the amount of time that has now passed since I first noticed the change (it will be 3 months by the time I get the biopsy) as I know time is critical if it is bad news.

I’m also so gutted that this is taking up so much of my pregnancy and I can’t enjoy it properly as i’m So worried. 

Em. 

Hi Em,

I'm glad you managed to get a private consultation.

Dermatologists don't usually do a shave biopsy on a mole unless they think the risk of it being melanoma is very low, so that's a positive. The reason for this is because a shave biopsy only removes & collects the top few layers of cells for them to check. This is enough tissue for a biopsy sample but it doesn't remove the 'root' or 'depth' of the mole. Your dermatologist is obviously thinking that it's suspicious enough to do a biopsy but that there is a very good chance the results will be clear & they don't want to leave you with too much of a scar.

If the biopsy comes back as melanoma, then a further, wider & deeper excision is made to ensure all the cells have been removed. This is done with everyone. 

I wouldn't get too worried over the time it's taking to be done - the NHS appointments are also taking this amount of time and a few weeks wait won't make too much difference to the outcome.

Try not to worry about it & put it to the back of your mind for now. Try and enjoy your pregnancy safe in the knowledge that, if the dermatologist thought the risk was high, they would have arranged an excision biopsy a lot quicker.

I hope you aren't waiting too long. Good luck & please let us know how you get on,

Angie