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Urgent 2 week referral to dermatologist

GrAlTi
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Hello all! 
Just here for reassurance and advice really! I'm really worried. I've had a strange asymmetrical, brown mark appear between my toes. I went to the GP before Xmas and he said it looked like trauma and to go back if it hadn't faded in a couple weeks. Fast forward to today, I've gone back and they've had a good look again and done an urgent 2 week referral for dermatology. The doc said although I'm young, a growing number of young women are being diagnosed with Melanoma, so now my anxiety is through the roof! I have a young family and just started my Nursing degree so I'm terrified about the possibility of it being skin cancer. Would really appreciate any support xxx

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    Hey there, 

    i can't really offer you any advice but I find myself in a similar situation. I went to the GP yesterday and will be at dermatology on the 23rd so I completely sympathise with you! 
     

    i had a suspicious mole removed a few years ago following the same 2week referral route and that was nothing sinister at all, so I'm trying to tell myself I have an unbroken 100% track record of positive results... in reality it is a worrying time. My plan is to continue my normal life and keep as busy as possible until I know more  

    sending hugs :love:

  • Offline in reply to MissMarigold

    Hi! 
    Thanks so much for the reply and support. It's so scary isn't it as we automatically think cancer and go down the Google hole My partner was diagnosed with bowel cancer last year so I'm extremely anxious about it all. Just trying to keep busy with the kids and uni as well, but it's still there in the back of my mind. 
    Is yours showing up as another mole? What did they do last time for you? Did you have a biopsy taken? Take care, Grace ️

  • Offline in reply to GrAlTi

    I was so far down the google hole last night but couldn't stop! I think the anxiety is normal, I'm trying to tell myself that worrying doesn't change the outcome or make Monday be here quicker but it's hard to stop.

    I'm sorry to hear about your partners diagnosis. You really are going through it! Kudos to you for managing uni, kids and all of this too!

    Not a mole this time, I thought it was a blood blister on my little finger, then after a couple of weeks it was maybe a wart but the doctor called it a non healing skin lesion. Last time it was a small mole on my upper lip area next to my nostril that was bleeding and scabbing over, I went for the initial hospital appointment and she looked at all of my face and chest with a microscope thing (I think it's called a dermascope or something) and decided to biopsy some "suspicious" tissue from my brow bone and remove the mole. I went back and both were done with punch biopsies, the mole was so small the punch biopsy took the whole mole out. Then I waited for the results - the mole was fine and the suspicious tissue on my brow was just some scar tissue from the delightful acne stage of life!
    For a giggle, the worst part of the biopsy was trying to eat my "I've been through a lot today and want a treat" American style hotdog afterwards and realising the stitches prevented me opening my mouth wide enough to fit it in and then sitting there all sad because I had to cut it up like it was for a toddler after attempting to eat it at any possible orientation! Sorry for the long reply, I just wanted to convey the actual biopsy part of it all was fine and that the biopsy itself, if you need one, is nothing to worry about. 

    i hope you get your appointment soon and that it turns out to be nothing :love: 

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    Hi,

    I'm sorry you are going through this anxious time and, although the GP is correct about young women with melanoma, I really don't think he needed to mention that as it doesn't help and only fuels anxiety. 

    Marks and moles on or between the toes aren't common and that is why the GP has referred you. Many of these marks/moles are benign but they have to be checked out. Don't panic if the dermatologist suggests removal as, if the dermascope doesn't give them an idea of what it is, a biopsy is the only way they can get an answer.

    I hope you aren't waiting too long for your appointment and please let us know how you get on.

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Hello! Thought I'd put an update on here! I had the mark removed 3 weeks ago, which is taking a little while to heal properly, but just received the news today that it was all healthy and no cancer! 
    To say I'm relieved is an understatement! 

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