Hi,

I notice that you have had good advice from the nurse on your other post. They only things I can add is that don't put all your faith in the skin apps. Sometimes they can give false positives which can give unnecessary worry. 

Subungual melanoma is rare and makes up for only 4% of melanoma diagnoses, of which 3% are in the black, Asian and Oriental population. Add to that the fact that 75% of patients referred to dermatology are given a clean bill of health so you can see it's not common. There are lots of posts from members of the forum who have gone through the same worry as yourself - those who get a clean bill of health don't tend to come back on here so you only read the odd posts from those who have been given a positive result. 

As for waiting times due to Covid - all the people I've spoken to have been seen within the 14 day referral time (or just outside it) and a large majority of those that required a removal for biopsy have had them carried out within the usual average wait of 2 weeks (pre-Covid). At some hospitals there does appear to be a slight delay in getting the results (pre-Covid wait time averaged 4 weeks). Also, instead of the consultants giving the results face to face to all patients (whether benign or melanoma), many consultants are now sending the benign results to the GP for them to give the results which frees up appointment time for other dermatology patients.

I know it's easier said than done but please try to distract yourself whilst waiting. Worrying yourself sick isn't going to change anything & saps your energy, an energy you may need to get you through whatever happens at the appointment and afterwards. The odds are in your favour that your nail will be fine so try to focus on that. Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient)

Hi Angie,

Thank you very much for your post. I genuinely appreciate it. I went to work today and it helped quite a bit. I'm what might be called a key worker and it helped to deal wih the busy stresses of the day. It felt good to helpothers. Truth to tell, I alternate between forgetting about it, then rationalising life without a toe or foot or how much time I might have if the worst case happens. Then I remind myself that no diagnosis has been made, so stop it. I'm laying off Google: there resides anxiety.

The App team got back to me and suggested monitoring the spot for three months for any changes in size. It looked like a standard letter. It arrived the day after the app verdict. Anyway, the GP already referred me to dermatology.

I noted from your sign-off that you are at stage three of your cancer. I would like to thank you for spending the time answering my - hopefully neurotic - post. I feel humbled to know that you and others like you are spending their time helping those who may or may not be experiencing cancer. It affirms my faith in humanity. I shall let you know the results of any test. Once again, manythanks. My thoughts and best wishes are for you.

Thank you for your kind words. I'm actually one of the lucky ones (an oxymoron!) as I've been Stage 3 for 11 years and I'm still fit & healthy with no sign of melanoma at the moment! This is the main reason that I like to help those, like yourself, who are going through the worry of appointments, treatments etc. Melanoma is an unpredictable cancer so if I can help in some way I try my best.

I'm so glad that you have a referral to dermatology so that you aren't waiting too long. Hopefully your nail will be fine but you are in the right hands should it need a biopsy and treatment. Keep positive xx