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2 week Dermatology referal

rach1158
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Hi Everyone,

Four weeks go i went to the GP about two large raised moles on my back. The GP checked the moles ands aid that he thinks they are 99.5% fine but referered me to see another Dr at the practice so she can look at it under a dermascope. I went back to have this done the following week. She said that one of them is fine but not entirely sure about the other one and has requested for my urgent referal.

This was three weeks ago, and i have heard nothing, Dermatology say they have a 4-6 week wait time on urgent referals, which is doing my nerves no good.

I am confused as two GP's have told me not to worry about this mole but i have been sent for a urgent referal. I know it is better to be checked and be safe than sorry but its confused me.

Anyway, I am wondering, at this appointment at the hosital, will they remove the mole there and then or book me in later, how often do they remove it just to be safe, what happens at this appointment?

I am 21 and really anxious and need to know the ins and out of every detail before hand.

If anyone can share their experience i will be really grateful, also if anyone can share their wait times for their appontment.

Thankyou!

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    Hi,

    I know it's worrying but GP's err on the side of caution and if they are unsure, they will refer under the 2 week rule. If they didn't, the non urgent referrals are taking an average of 8 months to be seen & you can't leave a mole that long if it turns out to be malignant. The quicker it's seen, the better it can be treated. Sadly the post Covid waiting lists, the strikes & the lack of dermatologists is causing this wait, hopefully you will be seen soon.

    They rarely remove moles at the first appointment as it's usually done in day surgery under a local anaesthetic & they need operating theatre staff etc. They call the patient in within a few weeks for the procedure.

    Your young age is a good sign that there is less chance the mole will be anything suspicious but it's best for the experts to check it out for you. Good luck & please let us know how you get on,

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

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    Hi rach1158, I had an urgent referral on a suspicious mole which was only about 4mm in diameter, my doc appointment was 22nd june , I kept ringing appointment office and eventually got a cancellation for 3rd Aug. At the appointment I was examined and they said they would biopsy it, I could come back in about 4weeks to get minor surgery or they could do a punch biopsy as it was small. I just wanted it gone and got the punch biopsy done that day , I couldn't wait any longer. 

    I got letter on 30th September thinking it was results but it stated I have a telephone review on 7th Nov of biopsy. The waiting is the worse, but trying to keep busy and trying not to Google. 

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