Hi everyone, 

I'm new here but have been lurking over the past few weeks whilst waiting for mole biopsy results. I  wanted to share my story and experiences in the hope that it might help someone out there. My name is Louise and I'm 34. About the middle of last year, I noticed a mole on my torso start to change. Bits were falling off it, it was itchy, dry and crusty and also started developing these black dots in it. The appeareance would change weekly and it really stressed me out. I spoke to my GP who referred me to a dermotologist after looking at it, as he wasn't sure. He said he thought it looked like something called seborrhoeic keratosis, but he said it would be best for a dermotologist to confirm this. I really worked myself up about that appointment, convinced it was skin cancer and of course googling everything which I do not advise. A few weeks later, the dermotologist took one (very quick!) look at it and said, it's seborrhoeic keratosis - which are not actually moles but more like a warty type growths that do look like moles and can change. They can also look quite like skin cancer in some cases which is why I was concerned. I was told by the dermatologist that this was benign and not cancer and it didn't need removing. 

Anyway, whilst I was there she spotted another mole that she didnt like the look of, a very dark mole with several colours in it that I've had on my stomach for as long as I can remember. After looking at it through the dermoscope she said it was a concern and wanted to remove it. So I went back just before Christmas and had a punch biopsy to remove the mole. Ever since then, I have been very anxious, worrying and fearing the worst. Especially as this mole has been there for a very long time, as long as I remember.  

I was told that I would get my results by letter within 6 weeks but then last week, the hospital phoned me out of the blue and asked me to go in for a follow up appointment on 5th Feb (which would have been another two weeks). This made me feel very scared and anxious, so I phoned up to ask for more details and asked what the appointment was for. They said they follow up with all patients, and treat them all the same so it didnt mean anything that I was called in for a follow up appointment rather than a letter. 

I honestly got myself so worked up about this appointment that I've had to take anti anxiety tablets. I havent slept or eaten properly since I got that call and it's affected my work as I just haven't been able to concentrate. I phoned up the hospital again on Monday and explained how the anxiety is taking over and can they please just give me the results on the phone as I can't take it anymore. They phoned me back later in the day and said they could see me sooner if it would help my anxiety (27th Jan - today) as I think they had a cancellation. I felt instantly better at the thought of not having to wait 2 weeks but still worried that I had to go in, especially in the middle of a pandemic. I suffer with anxiety and health anxiety in particular so all this has been traumatic. 

So I went today and I saw a nurse who told me that the mole was "Severly dysplastic" but NOT cancer. I am so relieved and feel very lucky that it was spotted by chance. I have to go back to have another procedure to have some more skin removed around it though as a precaution. Also possibly have my other moles checked as I have a lot of them. 

I wanted to share this story in case it helps anyone who may be waiting for results. It really is very stressful and I wouldn't wish ithe anxiety of it on anyone - it seriously made me ill. But it's not always the worst scenario and being called in for an appointment doesn't mean that it will be (like I thought).   

Louise X