Melanoma diagnosis but freaking out over delay to diagnosis

I’ve just been diagnosed with a melanoma on my arm, but the time between referral from GP and biopsy result has been 5 months, as my dermatologist was confident it wasn’t melanoma, so it wasn’t fast-tracked. Now I’m freaking out that it may have spread, having looked at Dr Google, which said every month counts. 
My case is being discussed next week, and then hopefully it will be cut out, but I’m so scared the time delay may mean I’m on the way out. 
I have a young daughter, and I’m just so panicked. 

  • Sorry to hear this awful news.  My wife had a similar thing many years ago and is still well and alive, even though they said it was OK, it was not.  Have you had the Histology (Biopsy) results?  I am surprised they can say it is a Melanoma before it is tested.  Only advice is that they need to get it out ASAP and do any further Wide Area Excursions quickly. We still struggle to get my wife treated for new moles and the GP even lost the notes, so new consultant was told she never had Melanoma, luckily we have some letters saying what it was.  We also had to pay for further surgery etc. when it appeared to come back as the GP said it was an insect bite, it was not but all OK.  We have been on this forum for only one day and it is clear how slow Cancer diagnosis is, the slow speed costs lives and impacts on quality of life and costs the NHS so much extra in increased treatment costs.  Please try not to panic but don't except this slow treatment, call as much as you can, and maybe ask if you can speak to them just after the meeting or even attend (I doubt it).  We hope you get a good outcome and the NHS puts your mind at rest ASAP.

  • Thanks so much for your lovely reply. It was good to know your wife is still doing ok - it gives me hope that I may do too! I took your advice and pushed for a cancellation appointment, and I was lucky to get out, so I have had it cut out very quickly. It came back as a stage 1a, so now awaiting the wide local excision. Best wishes to you and your wife. 

  • 1a should be fine, but you need to push for the wide area excision ASAP, they can take months to follow up.  Once it is done you should have regular check ups, every year or two and keep an eye on it yourself.  We were told by a very good Dermatologist that if they do return they often look a bit blue under the skin.  But any kind of return insist on an urgent referral even if slight, don't be put off!  Great to know you should be fine and hope you have a long and happy life and well done for pushing.