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Scared of skin cancer referral

Lucie10028
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I've had a mole on the inner side of my foot for Atleast 4 years now, I don't think it's changed over that time but I've never liked the look of it as when you look closely there are darker patches in the middle.

I went to GP in 2020 during covid and they just hardly looked at it and said it was fine. 
Anyway, I went to GP the other week about another mole and while there asked them to look at the one on my foot. She used a dermascope and said she thought it was ok. 

Off I went home, and then a couple days later got a call from the GP to say she had reviewed her work with another GP and they had said she should refer me. So I went back for more photos and she referred me on the 2ww digital melanoma. 
 

So dermatology rang me today and said the consultant wanted to see me and I'm booked in for next week. So they have obviously looked at the photos and thought it's suspicious! 
 

I'm terrified as have had it Atleast 4 years and with it being on the side of my foot it's in a suspicious place! 
 

I also took a photo on the skin vision app, one photo said low risk but a second photo said high risk! 

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    Hi Lucie,

    I'm pretty sure that they want to check it out because moles on the feet and the palms of the hands aren't usual places where they grow, so they are treated with some suspicion. Having said that, most moles on the foot are found to be benign (I had one removed and it was fine). Also, if you've had it that long and it was cancerous from the beginning, you would have had other symptoms by now. There is a 75% chance that it's benign or dysplastic (precancerous). If it's cancerous, it may have turned malignant slowly over recent months so there is a good chance it's been caught early stage.

    As for the skin vision app, they are sometimes contradictory so it's good you are getting it checked out. Good luck and please let us know how you get on.

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Thanks angie

    I actually had an email today from skin vision to say their panel had reviewed the photo and decided it was not actually high risk! But I will take that with a pinch of salt and wait and see what happens on Thursday!

    Feeling a lot calmer now, Atleast it's going to get checked properly x

  • Offline in reply to Lucie10028

    Just thought I would provide an update. Just in the clinic now waiting for it to be removed. She said it's a bit bluey so would prefer to remove it to be in the safe side, but said to try not to worry as if she thought it was definitely melanoma she would tell me. 
    Checked all my other moles and all ok. 
     

  • Offline in reply to Lucie10028

    Thanks for the update Lucie. It's good that it's been removed for peace of mind and hopefully the results will be clear. Good luck and please let us know how you get on.

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    I hardly slept last night it was throbbing so much! Just taken some paracetamol now so hopefully that helps. 
    I think yesterday I thought I was lucky as felt no pain at all, but I think the aneasthetic must have lasted longer than I thought! I had a mole removed from my shoulder years ago and don't remember it being this uncomfortable, guessing it's because it's my foot! 

  • Offline in reply to Lucie10028

    Yes, the foot is a very painful part of the body due to it having more nerve endings. I had one removed from the sole of my foot and it was painful for a few days whilst other moles removed from my leg and torso never bothered me.

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Just to update, I was due to have my results appointment on Friday but the hospital just rang to say my results have come back and it's fine! Such a relief! Can go on planning my holidays now! Although would like to see some movement with my stitches dissolving, can still very clearly see them and still aches abit. Will just keep an eye on them! 

  • Offline in reply to Lucie10028

    That's brilliant news Lucie and great that they've told you sooner rather than later. Thank you for updating us as it helps future patients know that not every dermatology appointment means had news. Hope you heal well and have a great holiday x

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