Hi Megan,

As Steph mentions, there is a slight delay at many hospitals due to backlogs etc. The urgent referral is a 2 week referral and, if your hospital doesn't have a backlog, you should receive an appointment within 2 weeks. Those with a backlog are tending to send a letter out within the 2 weeks but with an appointment date outside the 2 weeks but most dermatology departments are managing to see patients within 4 weeks from seeing the GP. I hope this helps.

I know how worrying it is when your loved one has cancer & you don't want to burden them with your anxiety. I hope you have someone you can confide in so it helps you without you feeling the need to talk to your mother about it. 75% of patients referred to dermatology are eventually given a clean bill of health - the mole was either benign or dysplastic (precancerous) so there is a very good chance yours may be fine. In the event it's found to be malignant, there is still a very high chance it's been caught early and can be treated successfully so try not to think the worst. 

Hopefully you won't be waiting too long to be seen & good luck. Please let us know how you get on,

Angie, Stage 3 melanoma patent since 2009

Hi Megan,

As Steph mentions, there is a slight delay at many hospitals due to backlogs etc. The urgent referral is a 2 week referral and, if your hospital doesn't have a backlog, you should receive an appointment within 2 weeks. Those with a backlog are tending to send a letter out within the 2 weeks but with an appointment date outside the 2 weeks but most dermatology departments are managing to see patients within 4 weeks from seeing the GP. I hope this helps.

I know how worrying it is when your loved one has cancer & you don't want to burden them with your anxiety. I hope you have someone you can confide in so it helps you without you feeling the need to talk to your mother about it. 75% of patients referred to dermatology are eventually given a clean bill of health - the mole was either benign or dysplastic (precancerous) so there is a very good chance yours may be fine. In the event it's found to be malignant, there is still a very high chance it's been caught early and can be treated successfully so try not to think the worst. 

Hopefully you won't be waiting too long to be seen & good luck. Please let us know how you get on,

Angie, Stage 3 melanoma patent since 2009