Mole Check Wait Time

Hi All,

Two weeks ago (29th of Feb) I went to see the doctor about a suspicious looking mole on my back. She took pictures and sent them away that day as an urgent referral and asked me to chase dermatology  if I hadn't heard back from them within two weeks.

I contacted them today as I hadn't heard back and they have told me that it is down as urgent, but that I need to wait 24 weeks before it can be seen to. Is this normal? It feels like a very long time and the NHS website said urgent referrals usually are handled within a couple of weeks. I then tried to contact a local private hospital in the hope of getting seen sooner and they were 24 weeks as well. I am at my wits end with worry anyway, as the mole does look suspicious,  but should I be doing something more about this or do I just sit tight and trust they will contact me sooner?

Thank you all for your time

Stu

Parents
  • I’m so sorry to hear this. I am going through the same process. 
    I was referred under urgent, I was seen and had teledermatology photos done which was sent to a consultant, I had a letter written to me by the consultant to say she’s directly booked me for surgery and biopsy. Still awaiting results. 
    this whole process has been going on since (9th of February) it’s now may, and it’s still not over. I still don’t know if I have skin cancer or not. 
    what I’m getting at is that unfortunately there does seem to be a very long wait. I was told that the biopsies are happening through clinical urgency. There seems to be no reassurance from professionals either. Seems very cruel to tell people they might have cancer and then they are literally just left to sit with that on their minds on a long waiting list 

Reply
  • I’m so sorry to hear this. I am going through the same process. 
    I was referred under urgent, I was seen and had teledermatology photos done which was sent to a consultant, I had a letter written to me by the consultant to say she’s directly booked me for surgery and biopsy. Still awaiting results. 
    this whole process has been going on since (9th of February) it’s now may, and it’s still not over. I still don’t know if I have skin cancer or not. 
    what I’m getting at is that unfortunately there does seem to be a very long wait. I was told that the biopsies are happening through clinical urgency. There seems to be no reassurance from professionals either. Seems very cruel to tell people they might have cancer and then they are literally just left to sit with that on their minds on a long waiting list 

Children
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