My mother had had 5 seperate samples tested for melanoma and had her results this week. 2 came back as melanoma, another 2 came back as other skin cancer. So 4/5. The doctors originally said 1 at most looked likely but they were cautious as she has has a long history with skin cancers and multiple surgeries some quite severe. My aunty (no longer around) had her lip removed due to skin cancer. So there's definitely family history.
Does anyone know how much a private skin clinic costs?? I was thinking of having a check up every couple years to help keep track of changes in moles etc. Or a forum or service to show photos of moles, as there's so many types I don't have a clue which ones to focus on.
Im now paranoid about every change in my own skin particularly a new pink hard shiny lump on my arm. I feel bad showing my mum every single freckle I have as it takes the attention off her. But I also duno how to get attention from a doctor in UK when chances are im ok. The GP surgery reffered me to the community pharmacy (Co-op) who then reffered me back to GP. Who then reffered me to hospital, which I waited for a letter to then be told I have to contact the derm department directly for an appointment. Literally just wanted an opinion on a new skin change that is different colour to my other hundreds of moles and freckles. But I've involved a pharmacy, gp clinic twice and now trying for hospital department. Feel like a massive time waster but at the same time it's not me that's overcomplicated this. I've not been told once that it's not something to worry about either so it's not even like I'm pestering to be seen by all these people.
Just don't think there's enough services before people become unwell in the first place. But at the same if your not unwell and apart from some minor illnesses if your youngish and healthy in my experience your told you have a 5 minute window at gp, and can say 1 issue and book another appointment for anything else. Literally what the gp surgery said when I said I had a sore side after asking about my mole. Took up 7 minutes of face to face time but already feel a burden.
I can only feel for the others on this forum who have some severe concerns and hope you all get to talk to someone for more than 5 minutes and don't have to come back later when your literally physically unwell. Why are the staff so good but the frameworks they work within so bad
