Please don't read Google - unless looking at websites like CRUK the information isn't always up to date. Also, everyone's moles and melanoma are different. The speed of change isn't always indicative of cancer so don't try to read too much into it. The good thing is that you've noticed the change quickly and are getting it checked out quickly. It could turn out to be benign and it's been inflamed due to a skin problem, or it's dysplastic (precancerous). Only 25% of people referred to dermatology receive a diagnosis of melanoma so hopefully you will be in the 75% that are fine. If it is melanoma, you've caught it quickly so there is every chance it's early stage and easily treatable. 

Good luck tomorrow and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

In a very similar position, I am the same age with two young kids and get the results from my biopsy tomorrow. Absolutely terrified! I dont think I will sleep at all tonight. 

Good luck for tomorrow!

Thank you for your well wishes. I am hoping and praying for good results for you. What an awful feeling this is. Unsure if I need a biopsy yet my gut feeling tells me I certainly will. Hope all goes well for you and I will update you on my appointment 

Just an update. Saw dermatologist today. He said yes there is some redness above/at the top of mole which could be irritation, infection, spot underneath. But we will remove anyway so removal for biopsy should be about 2 weeks time. He also said the fact this change happened so obvious and extremley fast all within the last 2-3 weeks would be unusual for melanoma. He said he would be more concerned if I came in and told him it's been gradually changing to what it is now over the last 6 months or more. My mole has always been ever so slightly raised which it still is but now with a random red bump next to it/on the side of it. 

However biopsy to be 100% sure.  Feeling much calmer now but won't be fully calm until I get results of biopsy. He gave my body a full check, all my other moles are ok, I don't actually have many which i assumed i did. Checked all my lymph nodes which presented all fine too. Il update with  results in the coming weeks. Thanks for listening. 

Thanks for updating us. It's good to hear that the consultant wasn't too concerned but is getting it removed for a 100% confirmation. Hopefully you won't be waiting too long for the results and I hope they confirm it's benign. Please let us know how you get on.

Thanks Angie. I had a question which I didn't think to ask the dermatologist at the time. He checked my lymph nodes. Is this common in a first appointment? Does this tend to happen with everyone as standard? 

Most dermatologists do this to all patients at the first appointment xx

Thank you Angie. You really are a great support and comfort through difficult times to people on this forum. I've read your personal journey and it gives so many others hope. Speak soon x

Hi there, I'm feeling panicked again after a few days of generally being ok. I have my removal of mole tomorrow and can't wait to get it off me. However I'm panicking because ever since this happened almost a month ago now I'm experiencing on and off upper back pain, muscle twinges, and on off dull ache in left side near ribs. Nothing terribly painful but my minds gone crazy again thinking it's all linked. Iv had this dark mole for many years and genuinely thought it hadn't changed over this time until the sudden soreness and redness which prompted me to see GP and where this all began. I'm so so worried that I missed something over the years and the redness and change so quickly would indicate its advanced and almost errupted (sorry if that sounds silly) . As I said before derm didn't seem to worried he didn't say if it could or couldn't be melanoma (I'd like to think he would atleast give me an very general idea in preparation) and he said we will remove it to be safe. I'm so sorry to come back again all anxious and stressed but have no one to talk to as I don't want to worry others close to me xx