The GP shouldnt have gave you a diagnosis like that without a biopsy.

Hopefully your results come back clear. I would make an appointment with your GP to discuss why they felt so strongly about the diagnosis that they gave you and if you are not happy with what they say, i would contact the surgery manager and potentially healthwatch.

To say you have melanoma without the correct testing could be very damaging to someone and it shouldnt have happened. You have 100% right to be angry and upset over this.

Thank you for your reply. I have been all over the place emotionally. I am going to try to talk to my GP today. If not for myself just so that lessons are learnt about giving devastating news like this without any support or certainty of the diagnosis.

Hi,

Unless I'm reading your post wrong - you saw your GP who sent a photo to dermatology - you then saw 2 dermatologists and they told you outright that it was melanoma after looking at it with a dermascope?

If I have read it correctly I'm very sorry that they said this. As rach1158 has said, they can't tell if it's melanoma without a biopsy so they really should have worded it 'It looks suspicious and may be melanoma but we won't know until we get the biopsy results.'

There are some dermatologists who are very experienced and they know that, their initial reaction, is almost always correct - however, 'almost always' isn't helpful to the mental health of the patient. 

So, your situation at present is that your mole 'may be' melanoma but you really won't know until you get the biopsy results in a few weeks I'm afraid. Don't feel a fraud, you were only passing on what the doctor told you. If you have to speak to friends or family about it just say you will know more when you get the results. Meanwhile, if it wasn't the GP who gave you this diagnosis (as I suspect), I wouldn't complain to them as it's not their fault, but I would mention it as it's affecting your mental health. If the diagnosis comes back clear, I would maybe contact PALS at the hospital so that the dermatologist is aware that their social interaction leaves a lot to be desired.

I hope they are wrong and the results are clear. If not, try not to panic as there is a very good chance it's been caught early and can be successfully treated. Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Thank you so much Angie. Yes it was an experienced dermatologist who said it was melanoma after looking at it . I would like to discuss it with them. You mentioned PALS who are they? 

Your message makes me feel much better I am grateful that you took the time to do that. 

They are the Patient Liaison  Service at each hospital. They deal with patient's complaints.

Thank you