Trusting your GP

I have seen multiple GPs over several weeks regarding pain and a patch of skin in my private area. They have all said I am ok and are now treating me for severe health anxiety but I can see this strange patch of skin, 3 different gps cant see it but I just can. I'm so certain something is wrong and I just feel like they won't help me. A simple biopsy that's all I want and they won't refer me. I've contacted private services but I just dont have the money. I just don't know what to do i feel helpless, sick, anxious

  • Hi,

    You need to ask if your GP Practice has a GP that specialises in dermatology and see them. If one of the GPs you saw specialises in dermatology they know what looks suspicious. It may be that none of them want to put you through an invasive procedure that isn't necessary - a skin biopsy is not 'simple'. Some suspected cancers can be biopsied by scraping the skin but most are cut out. Being in such an area it would be painful and could get infected.

    The only other option is to pay for a private dermatology consultation. It won't be removed for biopsy, just checked by a dermatologist. A consultation appointment would perhaps be a couple of hundred pounds. If they think it needs removal for biopsy they can write to your GP with a recommendation that you be referred to a NHS dermatologist.

    Hopefully it wI'll be an easily treatable skin condition. Good luck

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)