Welcome to the forum, Spiderweb.

I'm sorry to hear that you found a mark on your finger and that you're understandably concerned about what it might mean, but I'm glad that you took charge and has seen your doctor who put an urgent referral to the dermatology department.

Hopefully, others who have been in a similar situation will come along shortly to chat with you and offer support but until then try to take your mind off things, if at all possible.

If you find it too difficult to focus on other things until you have your appointment and feel like speaking with someone medically might help, our team of nurses are ready to take your call. They're available on this phone number 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Best wishes,

Renata, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi,

I'm sorry you are going through this worry. Your GP is right to get you checked out by a dermatologist, especially with your family having a history of melanoma, but there is a good chance the mark is caused by something else (ie a broken blood vessel, bruise or fungal infection). SM is quite rare, it accounts for only 5% of melanoma diagnoses and it's more prevelant in Asian, Black and Oriental ethnicities. Was your dad's melanoma a mole on the skin (superficial spreading melanoma)? If so, there is a good chance it's not connected as, again, it's quite rare that two different types of melanoma would occur in a family or even in the same patient. 

You can search the forum for similar posts regarding nail problems - just type Subungual Melanoma in the Search Forum bar at the top of the page. You will see lots of members have been referred & many have been given a clean bill of health so hopefully this will help.

Good luck with the appointment and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (melanoma patient)

Hi, how did your appointment go?.....I have a brown streak on my toe nail I'm so worried. Seeing gp tmw...